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Stage 1 Lead Engineer

Cowboy Space Corporation· Launch & Propulsion Engineering
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Kent, Washington$216k - $236kFull-timePosted 1w ago

About the role

Lead Engineer responsible for the reusable Stage 1 of Cowboy Space's launch vehicle, owning architecture, design, assembly, test, launch, recovery, refurbishment, and upgrade plans. Acts as chief engineer, program manager, and lead systems engineer for the stage, coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver a flight-proven, rapidly reusable first stage.

Responsibilities

  • Own the Stage 1 program from architecture and design through flight, recovery, and reflight
  • Define Stage 1 architecture, conceptual design, and stage-level requirements in coordination with owners of engine, upper stage, ground systems, and other launch elements
  • Define and manage subsystem requirements and interfaces (propulsion, structures, fluids, avionics, GNC, and recovery) with subsystem owners, including the engine-to-stage interface
  • Track stage technical performance, mass, margins, and risk throughout the design cycle; manage changes to requirements and interfaces and mediate technical disagreements between subsystems
  • Define and manage schedule and budget for the Stage 1 program
  • Lead stage assembly, integration, and integrated test campaigns (cryogenic proof, static fire) with support from manufacturing and test engineers
  • Define the verification and qualification plan for stage and subsystem requirements and manage its execution
  • Develop stage operating procedures and operational limits in coordination with engine, test stand, and launch operations teams
  • Participate in test and launch operations to make real-time engineering decisions on technical risks
  • Drive design-for-reuse decisions: recovery loads and environments, inspection intervals, life-limited parts, refurbishment procedures, and acceptance criteria for reflown stages
  • Own the stage upgrade plan for improved reliability, rapid turnaround, and faster production rate; derive upgrade scope and timelines to achieve these goals

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in the design, build, integration, or test of launch vehicles, rocket stages, or similarly complex aerospace flight systems
  • Demonstrated experience on one or more development programs through significant lifecycle stages (concept through development, qualification, flight, or sustained operations)
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and integrate a team spanning propulsion, structures, mechanical, fluids, avionics, GNC, and software
  • Strong knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (requirements, interfaces, verification, risk and margin management) in fast-paced development
  • Exceptional command of structures and loads, fluid systems, thermodynamics, cryogenics, flight dynamics, and control systems
  • Experience with integrated stage- or vehicle-level testing (pressure/proof testing, cryogenic loading, static fire)
  • Strong data analysis and data reduction skills from test and flight data to vehicle health and performance
  • Hands-on experience with fabrication, assembly, and integration of flight hardware
  • Leadership and teamwork skills with excellent written and verbal communication
  • Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, or equivalent

Skills

Required:Stage lifecycle ownershipSystems engineeringPropulsion integrationProject managementLeadership / team-building

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 and a fully stocked office kitchen with beverages and snacks
Last updated Oct 18, 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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