Senior Fluids Engineer Seen this week

Cowboy Space · Seattle, WA · Propulsion · first seen 2026-07-16

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 from powering on-orbit compute to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space).

The Role

You will own the design and development of fluid system hardware for the vehicle's propulsion, fluids, and thermal management architectures. This includes valves, regulators, fluid storage systems (tanks and pressure vessels), fluid routing (tubing, fittings, brackets, and manifolds), and integrated fluid subsystems. You will work across the full lifecycle from concept and analysis through build, test, and flight to deliver hardware that meets performance, mass, and reliability requirements in demanding launch and space environments.

Responsibilities

Design valves (flow control, isolation, regulation, check, and relief) for propellant, pressurant, and thermal fluid systems used on propulsion and launch vehicle systems.
Develop fluid storage hardware including propellant tanks, pressure vessels, and accumulators from concept through qualification.
Design fluid routing architecture: tubing runs, manifolds, fittings, flex lines, and quick-disconnects for vehicle integration.
Own fluid subsystem layout and integration, ensuring compatibility across propulsion, thermal, and pneumatic systems.
Perform hydraulic and pneumatic analysis (pressure drop, flow distribution, water hammer, thermal transients) to size components and verify system performance.
Perform structural analysis (FEA, hand calcs) and validate with test and flight data.
Select materials compatible with propellants, pressures, and operating environments (cryogenic, high-pressure, corrosive).
Generate detailed component and assembly drawings, specifications, and interface control documents.
Support and execute component-level and system-level test campaigns (proof, burst, flow, leak, cycle life).
Work directly with manufacturing and technicians to resolve build issues, improve producibility, and support rapid iteration.
Support vehicle integration, fill/drain operations, and ground system interfaces.
Contribute to anomaly investigation, post-flight inspection, and design improvements for reuse and reliability.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering field.
3+ years of experience designing fluid system hardware (valves, regulators, tanks, tubing, or fittings) for flight or high-performance applications.
Experience with fluid system analysis: pressure drop, flow sizing, structural analysis of pressure vessels, or thermal-fluid modeling.
Hands-on experience taking hardware from design through build and test.
Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks) for detailed part and assembly design.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft propulsion fluid systems.
Familiarity with cryogenic fluid handling, storage, and insulation systems.
Experience designing or qualifying valves (solenoid, pneumatic, or mechanically actuated).
Knowledge of material compatibility with common propellants (LOX, methane, hydrazine, NTO) and pressurants (helium, nitrogen).
Experience with additive manufacturing or advanced fabrication methods for fluid components.
Familiarity with relevant industry standards (AIAA, SAE, MIL-spec, ASME pressure vessel codes).
Experience supporting propulsion hot-fire testing or vehicle fill/drain operations.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $160,000 to $185,000 annually. Actual 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.