Lead Mechanical Engineer, Laser Communications

Job description

**About Cowboy Space Corp:** **Mission** Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity’s most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Cowboy Space Corporation is transforming how civilization powers, computes and connects - from orbit to Earth. **Background** Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high bandwidth optical data transport. Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases. Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father’s work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others. This is an ambitious mission that demands extraordinary talent. Cowboy Space Corporation ’s team has worked at places like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis and NASA, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build the most important energy company in the world, we want to hear from you. **About the Role:** The Payload Mechanical team is looking for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to act as the responsible engineer for the mechanical design of our laser communications payloads. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated expert with deep experience in high-reliability space systems, comfortable driving everything from early architecture and trade studies to hands-on integration and environmental qualification. This role spans opto-mechanical packaging, pointing and tracking mechanisms, thermal management, and structural qualification—from early concept through flight. You will lead a team of mechanical engineers and work closely with optical, laser, thermal, and systems engineers to deliver a flight-ready laser comm system. Previous experience driving end-to-end mechanical development of complex electro-mechanical or opto-mechanical flight hardware in a fast-paced environment is required. **Responsibilities:** - Own the mechanical architecture of laser communications payloads, including opto-mechanical structures, pointing systems, thermal interfaces, and harness routing, from concept through production - Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, setting technical direction, review standards, and execution pace - Define and own interfaces and technical budgets across the laser comm payload - Drive structural and thermal analysis efforts, working with analysts to validate designs against requirements - Develop and maintain mechanical drawings, GD&T specifications, and ICDs for internal manufacture and external vendors - Define and execute mechanical integration and test plans, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum) - Perform system-level trade studies on packaging, mass, and structural performance to optimize the payload architecture - Represent the mechanical team in design reviews and system-level discussions - Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, laser, electrical, and spacecraft teams to ensure compatibility at all mechanical interfaces **Basic Qualifications:** - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field - 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering for flight hardware in aerospace or defense programs - Demonstrated experience as the technical lead or authority on the mechanical design of complex electro-mechanical or opto-mechanical flight hardware - Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, Solidworks, or equivalent) and engineering drawing/GD&T - Experience with structural analysis and thermal modeling tools - Experience taking flight hardware through environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum) - Strong understanding of materials, standards, and manufacturing processes for high-reliability flight hardware - Experience managing direct reports or leading a technical team **Preferred Qualifications:** - Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering - 8+ years of experience developing flight hardware for space or defense programs - Experience with opto-mechanical design and alignment-sensitive structures - Experience designing or qualifying mechanisms for space flight environments (motors, actuators, bearings, flexures) - Familiarity with laser communications systems or free-space optical terminals - Experience with deployable or articulating structures subject to launch loads - Hands-on experience with flight hardware integration and alignment in a lab or cleanroom environment - Prior experience as a technical lead or engineering manager on a flight program ## **Compensation and Benefits** The salary range for this position is **$XXX,XXX – $XXX,XXX** 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*](https://deccs.pmddtc.state.gov/deccs)*.* **Disclaimer** *This 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.* *Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.*