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Senior Mechanisms Engineer

Cowboy Space Corporation· Lasers & Optical Communications Engineering
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San Carlos, California$152k - $220kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Senior Mechanisms Engineer responsible for end-to-end gimbal mechanism development for laser communications payloads, spanning concept to flight qualification with collaboration across optical, laser, controls, and systems teams.

Responsibilities

  • Own the full development lifecycle of gimbal mechanisms for laser communications payloads, from concept through flight qualification
  • Design precision gimbal assemblies, including bearings, flexures, motors, encoders, and structural members
  • Perform mechanism-level analysis including kinematics, stiffness, backlash, torque margin, thermal expansion, and bearing life modeling
  • Define mechanism performance requirements and interface specifications in coordination with optical and controls teams
  • Specify and procure precision components including bearings, motors, encoders, and custom machined parts; own supplier relationships and acceptance testing
  • Develop and execute integration and verification procedures for flight hardware
  • Define and execute qualification test plans including functional testing, life testing, vibration, shock, and thermal-vacuum
  • Develop and maintain mechanism drawings, GD&T specifications, assembly procedures, and test reports
  • Collaborate with controls engineers to support mechanism characterization and closed-loop performance validation
  • Participate in design reviews and contribute to system-level pointing and tracking trade studies

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience designing and developing precision mechanisms for flight hardware in aerospace or defense programs
  • Demonstrated experience as the technical owner of end-to-end mechanism development including design, analysis, procurement, integration, and test
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, Solidworks, or equivalent) and engineering drawing/GD&T
  • Experience with mechanism analysis including kinematics, stiffness, torque margin, and bearing life calculations
  • Hands-on experience with flight mechanism integration, alignment, and functional testing in a lab environment
  • Familiarity with precision components including angular contact bearings, brushless DC motors, and optical encoders
  • Experience taking flight mechanisms through environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum)

Skills

Required:Gimbal mechanism design and analysisCAD and GD&TMechanism integration and testingSupplier management and procurementCross-functional collaboration

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 and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
Last updated Sep 20, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Cowboy Space Corporation

Powering Humanity From the High Frontier

Cowboy Space Corp. is building a power grid in outer space for artificial intelligence. It is an integrated system of satellites and rockets to haul high-performance compute and optical data transmission down from Low Earth Orbit. Earth's energy grid can't run at the pace of AI. We can.

Orbital Data CentersAI compute in spacesolar-powered data centersLow Earth Orbitpower grid in space
Company profileWebsite

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