Senior Mechanisms Engineer - Satellite Mechanisms

The role

You will own a critical spacecraft mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. This includes designing, analyzing, building, and validating hardware such as hold-down and release mechanisms, solar array deployment, or deployable structures.

What you will do

• Own mechanism subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight.
• Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass.
• Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Perform analysis including hand calculations, FEA, tolerance stack-ups, and deployment dynamics.
• Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns.
• Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and release documentation.
• Work on the factory floor with manufacturing and integration & test teams.
• Troubleshoot hardware anomalies and perform root cause analysis.
• Support spacecraft integration & test, launch site operations, and on-orbit commissioning.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or high-performance hardware.
• Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, and test.
• Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, kinematics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo).
• Creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
• Proficiency with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or Abaqus).
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice to have

• 10+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for spacecraft or high-performance flight hardware.
• Direct experience with hold-down and release mechanisms (HDRMs), solar array deployment systems, or other spacecraft deployables.
• Experience with pyrotechnic, non-explosive actuator (NEA), or other low-shock release devices.
• Hands-on prototyping and machining experience.
• Familiarity with spacecraft thermal environments and their effect on mechanism performance.
• Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage spacecraft program.

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, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

About the company

Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. The company is building modular, scalable satellites to collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit.