# Head of Test 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: Principal and up
- Location: Kent, Washington
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $265K to $302K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-09-15
- Apply by: 2026-10-30
- Apply: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/cowboyspace/bc4b6389-e2fb-4fcb-84f4-a4e198ed436a
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/cowboy-space-head-of-test/

## About the role

We are looking for a Head of Test to build and lead the test organization within our Propulsion & Launch division. Reporting to the Head of Propulsion & Launch, you will be responsible for standing up the facilities, infrastructure, teams, and processes needed to test rocket propulsion systems and vehicle stages at high cadence. You will define the test philosophy for the program—what to test, how to test it, and what “good” looks like—and then build the organization that executes against that standard.

## What they're looking for

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related engineering field
- 10+ years of experience in test engineering, test operations, or propulsion development, with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing teams and test facilities
- Direct experience designing, building, or operating rocket propulsion test stands (engine or stage level) including structural, fluid, and electrical systems
- Strong background in data acquisition systems architecture: sensor selection, signal conditioning, sampling rates, real-time data display, and post-test processing pipelines
- Experience with test control and sequencing systems—whether PLC/PAC-based, custom real-time software, or commercial platforms (NI, dSPACE, or equivalent)—for automated test execution and abort safing
- Demonstrated ability to build and scale a test organization: hiring, training, establishing procedures and safety culture, and driving operational cadence in a hardware-rich environment

Tags: Launch & Propulsion Engineering