Fluids Engineer About the role:As a Fluids Engineer focused on propulsion, you will play a critical role in designing and analyzing fluid systems that enable spacecraft maneuverability, station-keeping, and mission longevity. You will work on propellant storage, transfer, and control systems, helping define how our vehicles operate efficiently and reliably in space over extended missions.
You will collaborate closely with a cross-functional team of propulsion, avionics, and spacecraft systems engineers to develop next-generation fluid and propulsion architectures that support Cowboy Space Corp's unique mission profile.
Responsibilities:- Design and analyze propulsion-related fluid systems, including propellant storage, distribution, and pressurization architectures
- Develop and run fluid and thermo-fluid models to evaluate system performance across mission phases
- Support propulsion system sizing, trade studies, and configuration optimization for spacecraft maneuvering and station-keeping
- Analyze transient and steady-state fluid behavior including phase change, thermal coupling, and pressure dynamics
- Define system requirements and support verification and validation activities
- Partner with mechanical design, systems engineering, and GNC teams to integrate propulsion systems into the broader spacecraft architecture
- Evaluate supplier components (valves, tanks, regulators, thrusters) and support selection and testing
- Contribute to test planning, data analysis, and iteration of propulsion and fluid subsystems
Basic Qualifications- BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in fluid systems, propulsion, or thermo-fluid analysis
- Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer
- Experience with fluid modeling or CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, Flow3D, CFD++, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar)
- Ability to work across disciplines in a fast-paced, iterative engineering environment
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems (chemical or electric)
- Background in propellant management, including storage, transfer, and pressurization systems
- Experience with cryogenic or high-pressure fluid systems
- Familiarity with spacecraft operations or mission design considerations (e.g., station-keeping, orbit raising)
- Proficiency in programming or scripting (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
- Experience supporting hardware development, testing, and validation
Compensation and BenefitsThe salary range for this position is
$150,000 - $200,000 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.
DisclaimerThis 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.
