TCA & Thrusters Engineer

Cowboy Space Corp.; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance if applicable

Daily lunch in the office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking an Injector Design and Development Engineer to own rocket injector design end to end—from concept to test. You will pair first-principles analysis with hands-on manufacturing and testing to accelerate cycles.

This onsite role in Kent, WA requires a builder mindset and a track record of turning analysis into flight-ready hardware. The ideal candidate brings strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics, plus 5+ years in mechanical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
• Strong command of first-principles thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics.
• 5+ years in mechanical design for manufacturing and rapid prototyping.
• Hands-on ownership of the rocket engine injector lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Own injector hardware end to end, from first-principles sizing through flight operation.
• Perform physics-based architecture trades leading to design and analysis of TCA components.
• Select manufacturing methods and lead the build, iterating on the design across the lifecycle.
• Plan and execute test campaigns, from component tests through full-engine hotfire.
• Analyze hotfire data and lead component redesigns to meet mission requirements.
• Collaborate with vehicle and test-stand engineers to ensure engine compatibility.

Skills

First-principles thermodynamics

Fluid dynamics

Structural mechanics

Mechanical design for manufacturing

Rocket injector lifecycle ownership

Rocket engine hotfire testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent

Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Ansys Mechanical

Fluent

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 an Injector Design and Development Engineer to own rocket engine injectors end to end—design, analysis, development, and validation. These injectors power the engines behind our own rockets and satellites, and they need to go from concept to hotfire fast. You will pair first-principles analytical design with hands‑on manufacturing and test to drive rapid design/build/test cycles. The ideal candidate blends sharp analytical instincts with a builder’s mindset and a relentless focus on turning analysis into flight‑ready hardware. This position is onsite in Kent, WA.

Responsibilities:

• Own injector hardware end to end, from first-principles sizing through flight operation.

• Perform physics-based architecture trades within a given engine cycle and required performance, leading to design & analysis of Thrust Chamber Assembly piece parts

• Select manufacturing methods and lead the build, iterating on the design across the full lifecycle

• Plan and execute test campaigns, from component tests through full-engine hotfire

• Analyze hotfire data and lead component redesigns to meet mission requirements

• Partner with vehicle and test‑stand engineers to keep the engine compatible with operational needs

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.

• Strong command of first-principles thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics.

• 5+ years in mechanical design for manufacturing and rapid prototyping

• Hands‑on ownership of the rocket engine injector lifecycle

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multiple cradle-to-grave cycles owning rocket engine injectors and/or TCA components

• Analysis experience with Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, and/or Thermal Desktop

• Experience using first principles to perform fluid system sizing, injector performance optimization (c*), and mitigation combustion stability concerns

• Design for additive manufacturing, machining, and weld/braze processes

• Experience planning, running, and analyzing rocket engine hotfire tests

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $130,000 – $180,000 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.