Fluids Engineer

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.

Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.

About the Role:

You will own the design and development of fluid system hardware for the vehicle’s propulsion, fluids, and/or 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

The salary range for this position is $120,000 – $150,000 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. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.

Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.