# Senior Responsible Engineer, Stage 1 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: $216K to $236K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-10-27
- Apply by: 2026-12-11
- Apply: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/cowboyspace/8cd16722-d819-4ca7-a442-ca314c093290?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/cowboy-space-stage-1-lead-engineer/

## About the role

As the Stage 1 Lead, you will be the Responsible Engineer for the reusable first stage of Cowboy Space's launch vehicle, owning its entire lifecycle: from architecture and design through assembly, integrated test, launch, recovery, and refurbishment. You will serve as chief engineer, program manager, and lead systems engineer for the stage. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- 10+ years of experience in the design, build, integration, or test of launch vehicles, rocket stages, or similarly complex aerospace flight systems
- Demonstrated experience on one or more development programs through a significant portion of the lifecycle (concept through development, qualification, flight, or sustained operations)
- Demonstrated ability to lead and integrate a team of technical contributors spanning propulsion, structures, mechanical, fluids, avionics, GNC, and software disciplines
- Strong knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (requirements, interfaces, verification, and risk and margin management) applied practically in a fast-paced development program
- Exceptional command of fundamentals: structures and loads, fluid systems, thermodynamics, cryogenics, flight dynamics, and control systems
- Experience with integrated stage- or vehicle-level testing (pressure/proof testing, cryogenic loading, static fire, or equivalent)

Tags: Launch & Propulsion Engineering

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/cowboy-space-stage-1-lead-engineer/