Mechanisms Engineer - Separation System

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

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), powering on-orbit compute 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 Mechanisms Engineer, you will own a critical vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. Depending on your background and team priorities, your assignment will be separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or electromechanical actuation. This is a hands-on role at the center of vehicle hardware development. You will work closely with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design integrated systems, build hardware, and validate through tests. You'll be expected to move quickly, iterate often, and take full ownership of mechanisms that directly impact mission success. Responsibilities: - Own your mechanism subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight. - Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and operational-life requirements across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments. - 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. - Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns; author procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions. - Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and release documentation. - Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time. - Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements. - Support launch operations, post-flight inspection, and refurbishment planning. Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. - 5+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight 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) and creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards. - Proficiency with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or Abaqus) for mechanism load-path and dynamic problems. - 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 mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware. - Direct experience with separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or flight electromechanical actuators. - Experience with pyrotechnic or low-shock separation devices. - Hands-on prototyping and machining experience. - Familiarity with reusable vehicle design. - Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program. Compensation and Benefits The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000 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 the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 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. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here https://deccs.pmddtc.state.gov/deccs. Disclaimer This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion. Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.