Senior In-Space Propulsion Engineer

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Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure.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

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior In-Space Propulsion Engineer to support the design, development, analysis, and validation of in-space propulsion systems. In this role you will be responsible for providing the systems which move our spacecraft. You will own delivery of on-orbit propulsion - from early trades between electric and/or liquid solutions through test and integration - and work at the intersection of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), propulsion, aerodynamics, and mission planning.

This position is located onsite in the greater Seattle WA area.

Responsibilities

• Identify and lead long-term strategic planning and development efforts for electric and/or chemical propulsion solutions
• Execute high level technical and operational trades to identify the best propulsion system for Cowboy Space’s satellite applications
• Design electric and/or chemical thrusters for in-house build. Lead manufacturing, development and test efforts to close the product lifecycle
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams of more junior engineers, manufacturing engineers and technicians through rapid design, build and test cycles
• Identify suppliers for key infrastructure in-space propulsion system components
• Own the integration of in-space propulsion systems

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Electrical Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
• 5 years experience identifying, designing, developing and/or building satellite or RCS propulsion solutions

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years experience with satellite and/or RCS propulsion systems, including electric and chemical propulsion
• Systems level experience deriving propulsion requirements for various satellite applications
• Experience managing external suppliers and internal development efforts in parallel
• Physics based component design for performance and manufacturability experience
• Advanced degree in relevant engineering discipline
• Demonstrated experience incorporating test or operational data into thruster continuous improvement efforts
• Experience throughout whole product lifecycle, managing the balance between design, analytical performance, manufacturing, operation and business constraints
• Team and/or software project management experience

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $205,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in 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 a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements

• Export Control Requirement: 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.