Mechanical Engineer | Deployable Radiators at cowboyspace

Department: Spacecraft Engineering

Compensation

$150,000 – $200,000/yr

Setup: On-site
Location: Kent, Washington
Type: Full-time
Level: mid
Posted: Sep 2, 2026

Description

Cowboy Space Corporation is hiring a Mechanical Engineer – Deployable Radiators to own the structural design, mechanisms, thermal integration, ground testing, and qualification of large deployable radiators for on-orbit spacecraft. The role covers lightweight structures, launch and deployment loads, FEA, CAD, manufacturing, test rigs, and integration with thermal, propulsion, power, avionics, and software teams. Candidates need a BS or MS in a relevant engineering field, at least three years of aerospace or high-performance hardware experience, and strong structural, mechanism, FEA, and CAD skills. The position offers a $150,000–$200,000 annual base salary plus equity and other benefits.

Required Skills

Structural design
Mechanism design
FEA
CAD
Thermal integration
Ground testing

Additional Information

Minimum Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
Required Previous Experiences: At least 3 years designing and analyzing lightweight structures and mechanical hardware in aerospace or high-performance environments
Hands-on experience designing mechanisms and large structural assemblies
Experience taking hardware from concept through build and test, including integration and testing
Experience in fast-paced, hardware-focused development environments
Preferred Qualifications: Experience designing deployable structures, including stowed restraint, deployment mechanisms, and latching
Experience designing for space environments and spacecraft structures, mechanisms, or thermal systems
Experience with bonded and welded assemblies and sheet-metal or machined-frame fabrication
Airframe or launch-vehicle primary-structure experience, including significant ascent loads
Familiarity with radiator or thermal-control design and thermal-fluid coupling to spacecraft cooling loops
Knowledge of aerospace standards and spaceflight hardware qualification and acceptance margins
Hands-on experience with prototyping, machining, deployment test rigs, and gravity-offload or ambient deployment testing
Startup or early-stage hardware experience and comfort with technical ambiguity