Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
About Cowboy Space Corp
Mission
Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity’s most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Cowboy Space Corporation is transforming how civilization powers, computes and connects - from orbit to Earth.
Background
Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high bandwidth optical data transport.
Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases.
Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father’s work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.
This is an ambitious mission that demands extraordinary talent. Cowboy Space Corporation ’s team has worked at places like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis and NASA, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build the most important energy company in the world, we want to hear from you.
About the Role:
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will play a key role in designing and building the physical systems that enable our spacecraft to operate reliably in space. You will own critical hardware from concept through flight, working across structures, mechanisms, thermal systems, and packaging to deliver high-performance, flight-ready designs.
This is a hands-on role at the center of hardware development. You will work closely with propulsion, power, avionics, GNC, and software teams to design integrated systems, rapidly prototype, and validate through testing. You’ll be expected to move quickly, iterate often, and take ownership of hardware that directly impacts mission success.
Responsibilities
Own mechanical design of spacecraft components and assemblies from concept through production
Design and develop structures, mechanisms, and thermal solutions for space environments
Develop and maintain engineering documentation, drawings, and release processes
Perform analysis including FEA, thermal, and tolerance stack-ups to validate designs
Drive rapid prototyping, build, and test cycles to accelerate hardware development
Collaborate cross-functionally with propulsion, power, avionics, GNC, and software engineering teams
Support integration, environmental testing, and launch readiness activities
Troubleshoot hardware issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements
Work with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure high-quality, scalable production
Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in design decisions
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
5+ years of experience designing mechanical systems for aerospace or high-performance hardware
Experience taking hardware from concept through build and test
Strong fundamentals in mechanics, materials, and thermal systems