Fluids Engineer

Fluids Engineer Aetherflux San Carlos, CA Job Details Full-time $150,000 - $200,000 a year 8 hours ago Benefits Paid parental leave Paid holidays Relocation assistance Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Parental leave Snacks provided Vision insurance Qualifications Bachelor's degree Cross-functional collaboration Cross-functional communication Full Job Description Fluids Engineer About Cowboy Space Corp. Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to powering on-orbit compute, to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we're unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We're moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.

About the role:

As a Fluids Engineer focused on propulsion, you will play a critical role in designing and analyzing fluid systems that enable spacecraft maneuverability, station-keeping, and mission longevity. You will work on propellant storage, transfer, and control systems, helping define how our vehicles operate efficiently and reliably in space over extended missions. You will collaborate closely with a cross-functional team of propulsion, avionics, and spacecraft systems engineers to develop next-generation fluid and propulsion architectures that support Cowboy Space Corp's unique mission profile.

Responsibilities:

Design and analyze propulsion-related fluid systems, including propellant storage, distribution, and pressurization architectures Develop and run fluid and thermo-fluid models to evaluate system performance across mission phases Support propulsion system sizing, trade studies, and configuration optimization for spacecraft maneuvering and station-keeping Analyze transient and steady-state fluid behavior including phase change, thermal coupling, and pressure dynamics Define system requirements and support verification and validation activities Partner with mechanical design, systems engineering, and GNC teams to integrate propulsion systems into the broader spacecraft architecture Evaluate supplier components (valves, tanks, regulators, thrusters) and support selection and testing Contribute to test planning, data analysis, and iteration of propulsion and fluid subsystems Basic Qualifications BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field 2+ years of experience in fluid systems, propulsion, or thermo-fluid analysis Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer Experience with fluid modeling or CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, Flow3D, CFD++, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar) Ability to work across disciplines in a fast-paced, iterative engineering environment Preferred Qualifications Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems (chemical or electric) Background in propellant management, including storage, transfer, and pressurization systems Experience with cryogenic or high-pressure fluid systems Familiarity with spacecraft operations or mission design considerations (e.g., station-keeping, orbit raising) Proficiency in programming or scripting (Python, MATLAB, or similar) Experience supporting hardware development, testing, and validation Compensation and Benefits The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $200,000 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 . 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.