Test Engineer Verified today
About Cowboy Space
Cowboy Space Corporation is building space-based solar energy infrastructure using modular, scalable satellites in Low Earth Orbit. The company transmits energy via infrared lasers, powers on-orbit computing clusters, and provides secure optical data transport. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space has raised approximately $365 million.
The Role
How fast you can test determines how fast the program moves. You will design and build test stands, then operate them. Your work spans fluids, mechanical, instrumentation, and controls from blank sheet through commissioning into routine operation. You will test components, engines, and full stages. When systems misbehave at 2 a.m., you diagnose whether the problem is the hardware, the stand, or the sensor.
What You'll Do
- Design and build fluid, mechanical, instrumentation, and control systems for component, engine, and stage-level testing
- Own P&IDs and take fluid system designs from schematic through procurement, fabrication, and checkout
- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot systems once live, including electrical and software sides
- Safely operate high-pressure and cryogenic systems: LOX, LNG, high-pressure gas
- Develop procedures for teams to follow under pressure, then run them as test conductor
- Perform hazard analysis and set safety controls, exclusion zones, and abort criteria
- Instrument tests for clear answers: sensor selection, calibration, DAQ, and sample rates that survive the actual event
- Reduce and present test data; drive anomalies to root cause rather than retest
- Own your stand project schedules, especially long-lead items
What We're Looking For
- 4-8 years of relevant test experience: propulsion, fluids, energetics, or industrial systems where mistakes had physical consequences
- First-principles depth in fluids, thermodynamics, and structures to reason about systems before opening tools
- Experience creating P&IDs and building the systems they describe
- Experience integrating and troubleshooting mechanical and electronic systems together
- Experience with high-pressure or hazardous environments and safe practices
- Experience writing and operating test procedures
- Software skills: data reduction, control sequences, scripting. Python preferred
- Self-direction; you will often be the only person who knows your system's state
- Strong writing ability for procedures and test reports
- Willingness to own large and small tasks with humility and positive attitude
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or equivalent
Nice to Have
- Cryogenic fluid system design from scratch
- Hands-on liquid rocket engine hotfire experience on the stand
- LOX and methane or LNG specifics: cleanliness, materials compatibility, ignition
- Control system work: PLCs, sequencing, interlocks, valve and actuator selection
- Fabrication literacy (welding, machining, tube bending)
- Structural, proof, burst, or environmental test experience alongside propulsion
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary: $130,000-$190,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications
- Equity in Cowboy Space Corp
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Paid time off and 10 paid holidays per calendar year
- Paid parental leave
- Relocation assistance if applicable
- Daily office lunch and fully stocked kitchen
ITAR Requirement
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.