TCA Mechanical Design Engineer Level 1

The role

You will own the end-to-end TCA hardware lifecycle from requirements through manufacturing to flight qualification. You will perform mechanical design, implement advanced manufacturing techniques, and design tooling for rocket engine components.

What you will do

• Own end-to-end TCA hardware lifecycle from requirements through manufacturing to flight qualification
• Lead mechanical design optimized for manufacturability using physics-based analysis
• Implement advanced manufacturing techniques including additive manufacturing, precision CNC machining, EDM, and specialized joining
• Design tooling, fixtures, and work-holding solutions
• Develop and qualify manufacturing process parameters for novel materials and geometries
• Plan and execute hotfire test campaigns and lead rapid redesign efforts
• Release production-ready models, drawings, specifications, and release documentation
• Work directly with machinists, welders, and technicians on the shop floor

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering
• 1+ years of experience in mechanical design for rocket engine or comparable high-performance hardware
• Strong mechanical design proficiency with DFM/DFA emphasis
• Hands-on fabrication, assembly or component manufacturing experience
• Proficiency with 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo)
• Proficiency with structural analysis tools
• Ability to create engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards
• Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, 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 St

Nice to have

• 2+ years of experience with rocket engine TCA hardware
• Hands-on experience with CNC machining, welding/brazing, or additive manufacturing
• Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) experience
• Precision machining knowledge: 5-axis CNC, high-speed machining, Swiss machining
• Specialized joining expertise: vacuum brazing, electron beam/laser welding, friction stir welding
• Tooling design: fixtures, EDM electrodes, CMM/welding fixtures
• Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, or Thermal Desktop experience
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Leadership role on a student rocketry, Formula SAE, or similar design-build-test team
• Willingness to spend regular time on the shop floor and at the test stand, including occasional off-hours work during test campaigns

Benefits

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• 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
• Fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

About the company

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Their satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable capabilities like powering on-orbit compute and transmitting energy via infrared lasers.