Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Propulsion Verified today

About Cowboy Space Corp

Cowboy Space Corporation is building infrastructure for space-based solar energy. The company designs modular, scalable satellites that collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to transmit energy via infrared lasers, power on-orbit computing clusters, and provide optical data transport. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt, Cowboy Space has raised approximately $365 million from Index Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and other leading investors.

The Role

As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for Propulsion, you will be responsible for establishing how the rocket engine is manufactured as we build a factory from the ground up. You will make key decisions about hardware production methods, equipment purchases, and process development rather than inheriting existing systems.

Manufacturing Engineering is not a support function here. You will be accountable for delivering hardware. You will own the design-for-manufacturability (DFM) strategy for your components, set the manufacturing direction for the parts you own, define how they are built and inspected, specify the tooling and equipment, and own the result when hardware reaches the build cell.

This role adapts to changing program needs and your strengths. We seek candidates with broad experience across programs and processes who understand different manufacturing methods and why they are chosen.

Responsibilities

• Define the manufacturing concept of operations (CONOPS) and DFM strategy for your hardware, covering production methods, equipment selection, and build sequence.
• Support facility layout and planning. Identify, specify, and purchase capital equipment. Install, integrate, and qualify the equipment.
• Design tooling and fixtures to support all processes from machining, welding, assembly, to handling and transport.
• Lead the process qualification plan for your hardware in partnership with Materials and Processes and Quality teams. Manage supplier interactions for externally routed parts and processes.
• Oversee the qualification of new processes brought in-house.
• Author all build documentation for your hardware including routings, work instructions, process specifications, and the manufacturing bill of materials.
• Own your hardware's delivery, build cycle time, yield, and rate readiness. Identify and resolve constraints, then scale the process from first article to repeatable production.
• Ensure configuration and pedigree are tracked throughout the entire build and test process. Manage the disposition of nonconforming hardware, lead rework and repair efforts, and oversee nonconformance reports from creation to closure.
• Mentor team members within and outside the manufacturing engineering group.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing principles, including proficiency with GD&T per ASME Y14.5, tolerance stack analysis, and dimensional inspection techniques such as CMM, Faro Arm, Blue Light Scan, and manual inspection.
• Demonstrated hands-on ownership of build and assembly processes on the manufacturing floor.
• Proficiency in CAD.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to facilitate and resolve challenging technical discussions.
• Experience evaluating and dispositioning nonconforming hardware and developing detailed rework or repair plans.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in hardware manufacturing, utilizing a variety of methods such as machining, additive manufacturing, welding, brazing, forming, casting, forging, cleaning, non-destructive testing, precision assembly, and acceptance testing of integrated hardware.
• Background spanning multiple product lines and manufacturing methods.
• Proven track record in establishing new factories or production lines, and/or transferring qualified manufacturing processes between sites.
• Extensive development-phase involvement, including taking hardware from concept through first article and qualification to repeatable production at rate.
• Proficiency with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software.
• Demonstrated capability in developing work instructions and process specifications, and qualifying them through continued conversations and iteration.
• Proven skillset in the design, analysis, and procurement of tooling for manufacturing and assembly applications throughout product lifecycle.
• Proficiency in Siemens based CAM and or machine languages.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $134,434 to $188,207 annually, based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• 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 with beverages and snacks

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.