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TCA Mechanical Design Engineer Level 1

Cowboy Space Corporation· Launch & Propulsion Engineering
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Kent, Washington$100k - $150kFull-timePosted 4w ago

About the role

Cowboy Space Corp. is building space infrastructure for orbital energy and data transfer. This role focuses on TCA mechanical design for rocket engine injector, combustion chamber, and nozzle development, with ownership from design to build/test in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end TCA hardware lifecycle from requirements through manufacturing to flight qualification
  • Lead mechanical design optimized for manufacturability, applying physics-based analysis — hand calculations, thermal and structural FEA, and tolerance stack-ups
  • Implement advanced manufacturing techniques: additive manufacturing, precision CNC machining, EDM, and specialized joining (e.g. laser welding, vacuum brazing, diffusion bonding)
  • Design tooling, fixtures, and work-holding solutions for rapid development and repeatable production
  • Develop and qualify manufacturing process parameters for novel materials and geometries
  • Plan and execute hotfire test campaigns, analyze results, and lead rapid redesign efforts balancing performance with manufacturing constraints
  • Release production-ready models, drawings, specifications, and release documentation
  • Work directly with machinists, welders, and technicians on the shop floor to close the loop between design intent and what actually gets built

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering
  • 1+ years of experience in mechanical design for rocket engine or comparable high-performance hardware. Internships, co-ops, and competition or research team experience count.
  • Strong mechanical design proficiency with DFM/DFA emphasis, leading to hands-on fabrication, assembly or component manufacturing experience
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo), structural analysis tools, and creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards
  • Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, 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

Skills

Required:DFM/DFA3D CADThermodynamicsFluid dynamicsStructural mechanicsManufacturing processesShop floor collaboration
Nice to have:Tooling design

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 27, 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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