Space Propulsion Fluids Engineer – Hardware & Testing

Cowboy Space Corporation; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Daily lunch and snacks

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Fluid Systems Engineer to design propulsion-related fluid hardware, including valves, tanks, and tubings, for flight and launch vehicles.

You will develop and qualify fluid subsystems from concept through flight, performing hydraulic and structural analyses, and coordinating with manufacturing for producibility. This role requires hands-on build/test experience and CAD proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering.
• 3+ years designing fluid system hardware for flight or high-performance applications.
• Experience with fluid system analysis: pressure drop, flow sizing, structural analysis, or thermal-fluid modeling.
• Hands-on experience taking hardware from design through build and test.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).

Responsibilities

• Design valves for propellant, pressurant, and thermal fluid systems used on propulsion and launch vehicle systems.
• Develop fluid storage hardware including propellant tanks, pressure vessels, and accumulators from concept through qualification.
• Design fluid routing architecture: tubing runs, manifolds, fittings, flex lines, and quick-disconnects for vehicle integration.
• Own fluid subsystem layout and integration, ensuring compatibility across propulsion, thermal, and pneumatic systems.
• Perform hydraulic and pneumatic analysis to size components and verify system performance.
• Perform structural analysis (FEA) and validate with test and flight data.
• Select materials compatible with propellants, pressures, and operating environments.
• Generate detailed component and assembly drawings, specifications, and interface control documents.
• Support and execute component-level and system-level test campaigns (proof, burst, flow, leak, cycle life).
• Work directly with manufacturing and technicians to resolve build issues, improve producibility, and support rapid iteration.
• Support vehicle integration, fill/drain operations, and ground system interfaces.
• Contribute to anomaly investigation, post-flight inspection, and design improvements for reuse and reliability.

Skills

Fluid system design

CAD tools

Fluid analysis

Hands-on hardware

Flight hardware testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Fluid Systems Engineer to design propulsion-related fluid hardware, including valves, tanks, and tubings, for flight and launch vehicles.

You will develop and qualify fluid subsystems from concept through flight, performing hydraulic and structural analyses, and coordinating with manufacturing for producibility. This role requires hands-on build/test experience and CAD proficiency.