# Engine Lead at Cowboy Space

- Company: Cowboy Space
- What the company does: Backed by a16z, Index and NEA.
- Company website: https://www.cowboyspace.com/
- Type: Startups
- Level: Senior
- Location: Kent, Washington
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $250K to $285K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-09-15
- Apply by: 2026-10-30
- Apply: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/cowboyspace/0fbf4519-9091-4792-9d7a-4d97e07761dd
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/cowboy-space-engine-lead/

## About the role

As the Engine Lead you will own the execution of this entire engine program lifecycle: from architecture and design through production, test, flight, and refurbishment. You will serve as chief engineer, program manager, technical lead, and lead systems engineer. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team of propulsion, structural, mechanical, avionics, software, and test engineers to deliver a flight-proven, reusable engine.

## What they're looking for

- 5+ years of experience in design, build, or test of rocket engines, combustion devices, turbopumps, or valves
- Demonstrated experience on one or more development engine programs through a significant portion of the lifecycle (concept through development, qualification, or sustained operations)
- Demonstrated ability to integrate a team of technical contributors spanning propulsion, mechanical, electrical, avionics and software disciplines
- Strong knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals applied practically in a fast-paced development program
- Exceptional command of fundamentals: compressible flow, thermodynamics, combustion, control systems, cryogenics, and instrumentation
- Proficiency with fluid analysis tools (Python, NPSS, AMESim, Thermal Desktop, EES, REFPROP, or equivalent)

Tags: Launch & Propulsion Engineering