Manufacturing Engineer

Background

Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure.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.

About the Role

We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer I to help turn rocket-engine designs into buildable, repeatable hardware as we build our propulsion manufacturing facility.

Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing, you'll own clearly scoped manufacturing tasks, from process planning and documentation to hands-on build support, with technical guidance and review from experienced engineers. You'll work alongside design engineers, machinists, and technicians to solve practical manufacturing problems and learn how engine components move from design through build, inspection, and test. This role is ideal for someone who is curious, enjoys working with hardware, follows through on commitments, and asks questions when help is needed.

This is a full-time, on-site Level 1 position in Kent, Washington, designed for new graduates and engineers with approximately one year of professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Support design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and design-for-assembly reviews with design engineers, machinists, and technicians; identify potential build issues and propose improvements for review.
• Develop and maintain routings, work instructions, manufacturing bills of materials, and build records for assigned parts and assemblies, with review from experienced engineers.
• Support process selection and document build sequences and inspection steps for engine components using machining, joining, additive manufacturing, cleaning, assembly, or test processes.
• Design simple tooling, fixtures, and handling aids in CAD, and help check their function and safety with experienced engineers and shop personnel before use.
• Work alongside technicians and machinists during prototype and early production builds to help resolve routine build issues, document problems, and escalate decisions that require engineering or quality approval.
• Collect inspection, cycle-time, and build data; help investigate nonconformances and implement approved corrective actions, rework, or repair instructions.
• Assist with equipment installation and checkout, process trials, first-article builds, and supplier follow-up under the direction of experienced engineers.
• Track assigned hardware and open actions through build and test, maintain configuration and traceability records, and help improve safety, quality, lead time, and repeatability.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline, completed or expected before the start date, or equivalent hands-on technical experience.
• Hands-on experience building, assembling, testing, or improving physical hardware through employment, internships, co-ops, coursework, labs, or student projects.
• Basic ability to read engineering drawings and understand dimensions, tolerances, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) concepts.
• Working familiarity with a 3D CAD tool such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or CATIA; academic use is acceptable.
• Ability to apply engineering fundamentals, collect and interpret basic build or inspection data, and work through technical problems methodically.
• Clear written and verbal communication, careful documentation, and willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and work closely with machinists, technicians, and engineers.
• Ability to work hands-on in a manufacturing environment and follow shop safety, quality, and configuration-control requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship, co-op, technician, or project experience in manufacturing, process engineering, tooling, assembly, or test.
• Exposure to machining, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, cleaning, inspection, precision assembly, or acceptance testing.
• Experience designing or building a fixture, writing an assembly or test procedure, or using basic measurement tools to check a part.
• Familiarity with manufacturing documentation, bills of materials, PLM or MES tools, or Siemens NX/CAM through coursework, projects, or employment.

Compensation and Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $107,000 to $123,000 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.