Manufacturing Engineer

Cowboy Space • Kent, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Cowboy Space Corporation is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer I to help turn rocket-engine designs into buildable, repeatable hardware while the company builds its propulsion manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing, the engineer will own clearly scoped manufacturing tasks, including process planning, documentation, and hands-on build support, with technical guidance and review from experienced engineers. The role works closely with design engineers, machinists, and technicians to address practical manufacturing problems and support engine components from design through build, inspection, and test. It is designed for new graduates and engineers with approximately one year of professional experience and is a full-time, on-site Level 1 position in Kent, Washington.

Cowboy Space Corporation is developing modular, scalable satellites that collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to support space-based energy transmission, on-orbit computing, and optical data transport. The company was founded in 2024 and is based in San Carlos, California.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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 to conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Support design-for-manufacturability 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 requiring 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.

Benefits

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level