Mechanical Engineer

The role

You will design and build physical systems for spacecraft, including structures, mechanisms, and thermal solutions. You will own hardware from concept through flight and work with cross-functional teams to prototype and validate designs.

What you will do

• Own mechanical design of spacecraft components and assemblies from concept through production
• Design and develop structures, mechanisms, and thermal solutions for space environments
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, drawings, and release processes
• Perform analysis including FEA, thermal, and tolerance stack-ups to validate designs
• Drive rapid prototyping, build, and test cycles to accelerate hardware development
• Collaborate cross-functionally with propulsion, power, avionics, GNC, and software engineering teams
• Support integration, environmental testing, and launch readiness activities
• Troubleshoot hardware issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements
• Work with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure high-quality, scalable production
• Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in design decisions

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience designing mechanical systems for aerospace or high-performance hardware
• Experience taking hardware from concept through build and test
• Strong fundamentals in mechanics, materials, and thermal systems
• Proficiency with CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, or similar)
• Experience working in fast-paced, hardware-focused development environments

Nice to have

• Experience designing for space environments (thermal, vibration, vacuum)
• Background in spacecraft structures, mechanisms, or thermal systems
• Experience with FEA and/or thermal analysis tools
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, machining, or test setups
• Experience working at a high-growth or early-stage hardware company
• Familiarity with integration, environmental testing, or launch 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.