Senior Spacecraft Engineer

Cowboy Space; San Carlos (CA); On-site; CAD 209,000 - 279,000; 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

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Engineer to design, build, and integrate the core systems that power our satellite platform. You will work across spacecraft subsystems—including structures, power, thermal, and avionics—to develop reliable, high-performance systems in the harsh space environment.

Join a high-growth team collaborating with software, electrical, optical, and mechanical engineers to push the boundaries of orbital energy infrastructure and data connectivity.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in spacecraft, aerospace, or related engineering fields (internships count).
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or related field.
• Experience with spacecraft subsystems (structures, power, thermal, avionics).
• Familiarity with design tools and engineering analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and integrate spacecraft subsystems (structures, power, thermal, avionics).
• Own components of spacecraft architecture from design through test.
• Perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, mass, power, and reliability.
• Support layouts, CAD models, and system schematics; plan/test campaigns.
• Develop technical documentation and ICDs; participate in design reviews.

Skills

Spacecraft subsystems

System-level design

CAD tools

Hardware integration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Tools

CAD (preferred)

ANSYS/Thermal Desktop

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.

About the Role:

We are looking for a Senior Spacecraft Engineer to help design, build, and integrate the core systems that power our satellite platform. You will work across spacecraft subsystems—including structures, power, thermal, and avionics—to develop reliable, high-performance systems that operate in the harsh environment of space.

This is a high-growth role with the opportunity to gain ownership quickly and work closely with a multidisciplinary team spanning software, electrical, optical, and mechanical engineering.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and integrate spacecraft subsystems, including structures, power, thermal, and avionics

• Own components of the spacecraft architecture, from early design through integration and test

• Perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, mass, power, and reliability

• Support development of spacecraft layouts, CAD models, and system schematics

• Plan and execute integration and test campaigns, including subsystem and full vehicle testing

• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and test plans

• Collaborate cross-functionally with software, electrical, optical, and GNC teams to ensure system-level performance

• Support environmental testing and validation, including thermal-vacuum, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing

• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and contribute to system-level decision making

Basic Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in spacecraft, aerospace, or mechanical, or electrical engineering (internships and relevant projects count)

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

• Experience with spacecraft subsystems (structures, power, thermal, avionics, or similar)

• Familiarity with design tools in your field.

• Exposure to one or more of the following:

  • Spacecraft design or satellite systems

  • Hardware integration and testing

  • Thermal or structural analysis

  • Embedded or avionics systems

• Strong fundamentals in engineering analysis, system design, and problem-solving

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on spacecraft or aerospace vehicle development programs (internship, academic, or industry)

• Hands-on experience with hardware integration, assembly, and testing

• Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal-vacuum, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC)

• Experience performing trade studies and system-level optimization

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

• Familiarity with GNC systems, orbital mechanics, or mission design considerations

• Experience with CAD, FEA, or thermal modeling tools (e.g., ANSYS, Thermal Desktop)

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

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex engineering problems from concept through testing

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

• Strong interest in space systems, energy infrastructure, and building novel orbital capabilities

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $200,000 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 parental leave

• Relocation assistance if applicable

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

ITAR Requirements

• 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. Learn more about ITAR here.

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.

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.