Fluids Engineer

The role

You will own the design and development of fluid system hardware for propulsion, fluids, and thermal management architectures. This includes valves, regulators, fluid storage systems, and fluid routing across the full lifecycle from concept to flight.

What you will do

• Design valves for propellant, pressurant, and thermal fluid systems
• Develop fluid storage hardware including propellant tanks, pressure vessels, and accumulators
• Design fluid routing architecture including tubing runs, manifolds, fittings, flex lines, and quick-disconnects
• Own fluid subsystem layout and integration
• Perform hydraulic and pneumatic analysis to size components and verify system performance
• Perform structural analysis 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
• Work with manufacturing and technicians to resolve build issues and support rapid iteration

Required qualifications

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

Nice to have

• Experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft propulsion fluid systems
• Familiarity with cryogenic fluid handling, storage, and insulation systems
• Experience designing or qualifying valves (solenoid, pneumatic, or mechanically actuated)
• Knowledge of material compatibility with common propellants and pressurants
• Experience with additive manufacturing or advanced fabrication methods for fluid components
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (AIAA, SAE, MIL-spec, ASME pressure vessel codes)
• Experience supporting propulsion hot-fire testing or vehicle fill/drain operations

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

• 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. Depar

About the company

Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. The company is based in San Carlos, CA.