Fluids Engineer - Propulsion Valves, Ducts, Lines

About the company

Cowboy Space is a startup building orbital data-center satellites and an in-house rocket program to launch them.

About this role

Fluids Engineer JOB DESCRIPTION • COWBOY SPACE CORP. Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure. About the Role As a Fluids Engineer, you will own a critical fluid system from concept through flight. Depending on your background and team priorities, your assignment will be on Propulsion fluid design (main propulsion valves, throttling valves, Engine fluid routing and manifolding, etc), Vehicle propulsion feed systems (prevalves, propellant feedlines, etc), Vehicle tank pressure controls (vent valves, repress system, etc), or vehicle pneumatic systems (inert gas valves, regulators, fluid routing, and storage for actuation and control). This is a hands-on role at the center of propulsion and vehicle hardware development. You will work closely with propulsion, structures, thermal, avionics, manufacturing, and test operations to design integrated systems, build hardware, and validate through test. You’ll be expected to move quickly, iterate often, and take full ownership of fluid hardware that directly impacts mission success. Responsibilities - Own your fluid subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight. - Drive fluid component and system designs for minimum mass while meeting pressure drop, proof, burst, leakage, cycle-life, and operating-life requirements across ground, ascent, and on-orbit environments. - Design valves, fluid routing architectures, and fluid storage hardware for propellant, pneumatic, and thermal fluid service on rocket engines and vehicle fluid systems - Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in every design decision. - Perform analysis — hand calculations, FEA, tolerance stack-ups — and validate predictions with test and flight data - Own fluid subsystem layout and integration, ensuring compatibility across propulsion, thermal, and pneumatic systems. - Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns (proof, burst, leak, flow, cycle life, vibration); author procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions. - Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, specifications, interface control documents, and release documentation. - Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing and technicians to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time. - Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements. - Support engine and vehicle integration, hot-fire and fill/drain operations, ground system interfaces, post-test inspection, and refurbishment planning. Basic Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field. - 3+ years of experience designing fluid system hardware (valves, regulators, tanks and pressure vessels, tubing, fittings, or manifolds) for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware. - Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, and test. - Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, materials, and manufacturing processes. - Experience with fluid system analysis: pressure drop and flow sizing, structural analysis of pressure vessels, or thermal-fluid modeling. - Proficiency with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo) and creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards. - 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. Preferred Qualifications - 10+ years of experience designing fluid system hardware for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware. - Direct experience with rocket engine, launch vehicle, or spacecraft propulsion fluid systems. - Experience designing or qualifying valves (solenoid, pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanically actuated) and pressure regulators. - Familiarity with cryogenic fluid handling, storage, and insulation systems. - Knowledge of material and seal compatibility with common propellants (LOX, methane, RP-1, etc) and pressurants (helium, nitrogen), including oxygen-compatible design practice. - Familiarity with relevant industry standards (AIAA S-080/S-081, ASME BPVC, SAE, and MIL-spec fluid fitting and pressure vessel standards). - Hands-on prototyping, machining, brazing, or welding experience. - Experience supporting propulsion hot-fire testing or vehicle fill/drain operations. - Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program. Compensation and Benefits The salary range for this position is $130,000 – $195,000 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