Senior Spacecraft Analysis Engineer

Cowboy Space; San Carlos (CA); On-site; CAD 161,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per year

Relocation assistance

Daily office lunch and stocked kitchen

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Analysis Engineer to drive high-impact modeling, simulation, and performance analysis across our satellite platform.

You will influence subsystem design decisions through rigorous, system-level thinking and cross-functional collaboration with mechanical, electrical, GNC, and software teams. The role requires expertise in structural, thermal, radiation, or power domains, plus hands-on experience with simulation tools (FEA, MATLAB/Python).

Qualifications

• 3+ years of engineering analysis experience (internships and relevant projects count)
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• Experience in at least one analysis domain: Structural, Loads & Dynamics, Thermal, Fluids, Radiation, Reliability, Power, MMOD, Demise, Optical/Brightness
• Familiarity with engineering simulation tools (FEA, thermal modeling, MATLAB/Python-based analysis)
• Strong fundamentals in physics-based modeling, numerical methods, and engineering principles
• Ability to interpret data and translate analysis results into actionable insights
• Eagerness to learn and operate in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Perform system-level modeling and simulation to evaluate spacecraft performance across subsystems
• Develop and own analysis in domains: structural, thermal, radiation, reliability, power, MMOD, fluids, or optical/brightness
• Conduct trade studies and sensitivity analyses to inform design decisions and optimize performance, mass, and reliability
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, GNC, and software teams to guide design and integration
• Define and maintain analysis-driven requirements, margins, and verification strategies
• Interpret simulation results and translate findings into actionable engineering insights
• Support test planning and model correlation between analysis and hardware performance
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including models and assumptions
• Support environmental qualification and on-orbit performance predictions (thermal, radiation, debris)
• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) with analytical rigor

Skills

Engineering analysis

Aerospace Engineering

Physics

Numerical methods

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Physics

Related field

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Thermal Desktop

COMSOL

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Job description

About Cowboy Space Corp.

Mission

Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity’s most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Cowboy Space Corporation is transforming how civilization powers, computes and connects - from orbit to Earth.

Background

Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high bandwidth optical data transport.
Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases.
Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father’s work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.
This is an ambitious mission that demands extraordinary talent. Cowboy Space Corporation ’s team has worked at places like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis and NASA, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build the most important energy company in the world, we want to hear from you.

The Role

We are looking for a Spacecraft Systems Analysis Engineer to drive high-impact modeling, simulation, and performance analysis across our satellite platform. This is a multidisciplinary role where you will inform key design decisions across spacecraft subsystems through rigorous analysis and system-level thinking.

You will bring deep expertise in one or more domains—such as structural, loads, and dynamics, thermal, radiation, reliability, power, MMOD (micrometeoroid and orbital debris), fluids, or optical/brightness analysis—while operating with a strong understanding of how these systems interact at the spacecraft level.

This is a high-growth role with the opportunity to take ownership of critical analyses and directly influence at the spacecraft level.

Responsibilities

• Perform system-level modeling and simulation to evaluate spacecraft performance across multiple subsystems

• Develop and own analysis in one or more domains: structural, thermal, radiation, reliability, power, MMOD, fluids, or optical/brightness

• Conduct trade studies and sensitivity analyses to inform design decisions and optimize system performance, mass, and reliability

• Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, GNC, and software teams to guide design and integration decisions

• Define and maintain analysis-driven requirements, margins, and verification strategies

• Interpret simulation results and translate findings into actionable engineering insights

• Support test planning and model correlation, ensuring alignment between analysis and hardware performance

• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including models, assumptions, and analysis reports

• Support environmental qualification and on-orbit performance predictions, including thermal, radiation, and debris environments

• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR), providing analytical rigor and recommendations at the system level

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in engineering analysis (internships and relevant projects count)

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field

• Experience or academic exposure to at least one analysis domain:

  • Structural

  • Loads and Dynamics

  • Thermal

  • Fluids

  • Radiation

  • Reliability

  • Power

  • MMOD

  • Demise

  • Optical / brightness

• Familiarity with engineering simulation tools (e.g., FEA, thermal modeling, MATLAB/Python-based analysis)

• Strong fundamentals in physics-based modeling, numerical methods, and engineering principles

• Ability to interpret data and translate analysis results into actionable engineering insights

• Eagerness to learn and operate in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience applying analysis to real-world hardware or aerospace systems (internship, academic project, or industry)

• Experience with industry-standard tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Thermal Desktop, COMSOL, MATLAB/Simulink, Python)

• Experience performing multidisciplinary trade studies and system-level optimization

• Familiarity with space environment effects, including radiation, thermal cycling, and orbital debris (MMOD)

• Experience with test correlation, validating models against hardware or experimental data

• Exposure to power systems, thermal management, or structural dynamics in aerospace applications

• Experience working on high-reliability or safety-critical systems with strong validation practices

• Experience designing or maintaining analysis workflows integrated with CI/CD or automated pipelines

• Demonstrated ownership of complex analytical problems, from assumptions through model validation

• Prior experience at a space, aerospace, or deep tech organization

• Strong interest in space systems, energy infrastructure, and mission-driven engineering challenges

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $115,000 - $145,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) retirement savings plan

• Paid time off

• 10 paid holidays per calendar year

• Paid leave for new parents

• Relocation assistance

• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

Disclaimer

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp's discretion.

Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.