Senior Space Gimbal Mechanisms Engineer

Cowboy Space Corp.; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

10 holidays per year

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Lunch in office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is developing flight-ready gimbal mechanisms for laser communications payloads, delivering precision pointing in space.

The Senior Mechanisms Engineer will own end-to-end development, from concept through flight qualification, collaborating with optical, laser, controls, and systems teams. The role demands hands-on experience with flight mechanisms, GD&T, and component procurement, with opportunities to shape qualification testing, life testing, and integration in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years designing precision mechanisms for flight hardware.
• Technical owner of end-to-end mechanism development (design, analysis, procurement, integration, test).
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and GD&T drawing practices.
• Experience with flight mechanism integration and environmental qualification.

Responsibilities

• Own the full development lifecycle of gimbal mechanisms from concept to flight qualification.
• Design precision gimbal assemblies including bearings, motors, encoders, and structural members.
• Perform mechanism-level analysis: kinematics, stiffness, backlash, torque margin, thermal expansion, bearing life.
• Define mechanism performance requirements and interface specs with optical and controls teams.
• Specify and procure precision components; manage supplier relations and testing acceptance.
• Develop and execute integration and verification procedures for flight hardware.
• Define and execute qualification test plans (functional, life, vibration, TVAC).
• Maintain mechanism drawings, GD&T specs, assembly procedures, and test reports.
• Collaborate with controls engineers for mechanism characterization and closed-loop validation.
• Participate in design reviews and system-level pointing/tracking trade studies.

Skills

Mechanisms design

Flight hardware

3D CAD

GD&T

Testing & integration

Bearings & encoders

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is developing flight-ready gimbal mechanisms for laser communications payloads, delivering precision pointing in space.

The Senior Mechanisms Engineer will own end-to-end development, from concept through flight qualification, collaborating with optical, laser, controls, and systems teams. The role demands hands-on experience with flight mechanisms, GD&T, and component procurement, with opportunities to shape qualification testing, life testing, and integration in a fast-paced