Injector Design and Development Engineer Verified today
About Cowboy Space
Cowboy Space Corp. is building infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable new capabilities: powering on-orbit compute, transmitting energy via infrared lasers, and delivering secure optical data. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), we are backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defence organizations.
The Role
You will own rocket engine injectors end to end: design, analysis, development, and validation. These injectors power the engines behind our own rockets and satellites, moving from concept to hotfire rapidly. You will pair first-principles analytical design with hands-on manufacturing and test to drive rapid design/build/test cycles. This position is onsite in the greater Seattle, WA area.
Responsibilities
- Own injector hardware end to end, from first-principles sizing through flight operation
- Perform physics-based architecture trades within a given engine cycle and required performance, leading to design and analysis of Thrust Chamber Assembly piece parts
- Select manufacturing methods and lead the build, iterating on the design across the full lifecycle
- Plan and execute test campaigns, from component tests through full-engine hotfire
- Analyze hotfire data and lead component redesigns to meet mission requirements
- Partner with vehicle and test-stand engineers to keep the engine compatible with operational needs
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree
- Strong command of first-principles thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics
- 5+ years in mechanical design for manufacturing and rapid prototyping
- Hands-on ownership of the rocket engine injector lifecycle
Preferred Qualifications
- Multiple cradle-to-grave cycles owning rocket engine injectors and/or TCA components
- Analysis experience with Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, and/or Thermal Desktop
- Experience using first principles to perform fluid system sizing, injector performance optimization (c*), and mitigation of combustion stability concerns
- Design for additive manufacturing, machining, and weld/braze processes
- Experience planning, running, and analyzing rocket engine hotfire tests
- Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $130,000 - $180,000 annually. Base salary depends on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
- Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 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 fully stocked kitchen
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., 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.