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Head of Analysis

Cowboy Space Corporation· Launch & Propulsion Engineering
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Kent, Washington$225k - $273kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Lead the analysis organization within the Launch & Propulsion division, serving as the technical authority for analytical substantiation of engines and vehicle structures. Define margins philosophy, toolchain, and standards; build and manage a world-class team of analysts across structural, thermal, and CFD domains; own correlation with test and flight data and ensure timely delivery of analysis products to support design decisions and flight-readiness.

Responsibilities

  • Define and own the analysis philosophy for the program: factors of safety, margin policy, model fidelity requirements, and the standards that govern when a design is analytically cleared for build, test, and flight.
  • Develop the analysis-versus-test strategy with other leaders to make hardware within a high-test cadence understood and safe.
  • Build, lead, and develop a team of structural, thermal, and CFD analysts; establish roles, hire across experience levels, set career paths, and create a culture of analytical rigor when needed paired with engineering speed.
  • Lead structural analysis efforts across engines and vehicle systems—static strength, fatigue, fracture, buckling, dynamics, and life assessment.
  • Lead thermal analysis for propulsion components and vehicle systems; define thermal models, boundary conditions, and correlation strategies.
  • Lead CFD efforts for internal and external flow including combustion modeling, injector analysis, nozzle performance, aerodynamic heating, base environments, and fluid system flow characterization.
  • Develop and maintain the analysis toolchain—commercial codes, in-house solvers, automated workflows, and AI/ML-augmented methods.
  • Establish and maintain analysis documentation standards: model descriptions, assumptions registers, verification and validation evidence, and margin-of-safety reporting formats.
  • Own the correlation of analytical predictions with test and flight data; update models based on empirical results and maintain a lessons-learned database.
  • Coordinate with design, test, manufacturing, and mission assurance teams to ensure timely delivery of analysis products and informed design trades.
  • Present analysis substantiation at program milestones (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) to leadership, customers, and certification authorities.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field
  • 10+ years of experience in structural, thermal, or fluid dynamics analysis for aerospace or propulsion hardware, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership role managing a team of analysts.
  • Deep expertise in at least one analysis domain (structural, thermal, or CFD) with strong working knowledge of the other two
  • Proven ability to define analysis methodologies, factors of safety, and margin policies for flight hardware programs; experience substantiating designs through analysis for qualification and flight certification.
  • Proficiency with analysis software tools (e.g., ANSYS, Fluent, Star-CCM+, Nastran, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop, Sinda)
  • Experience onboarding analysis software tools and infrastructure and building or directing automated analysis workflows.
  • Track record of building and scaling an analysis team: hiring, mentoring, establishing processes, onboarding analysis tools, and delivering high-quality analysis products on aggressive schedules.
  • Strong communication skills: ability to present complex analytical results clearly at design reviews, defend margins and assumptions to chief engineers, and translate analysis findings into actionable design guidance.

Skills

Required:Analysis methodology developmentTeam leadership and mentoringStructural analysisThermal analysisCFD analysisAnalysis toolchain development

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 Oct 25, 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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