ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Space Cowboy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aetherflux

Head of Primary Structures

Seattle, WA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Sr. TCA Mechanical Design Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$185K - $210K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

PCB Layout Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$128K - $160K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Thermal Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Thermal 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 ...

Aetherflux

Avionics Test Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Software Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Software Engineer (San Carlos, CA) 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 ...

Aetherflux

Head of Materials & Process

Seattle, WA · On-site

$160K - $227K/yr

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 ...

Posted today

Aetherflux

Head of Talent Acquisition

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$125K - $172K/yr

Head of Talent Acquisition About Cowboy Space Corporation Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to ...

Aetherflux

Senior Spacecraft Analysis Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

Senior Spacecraft Analysis 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 ...

Aetherflux

Avionics Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

About Cowboy Space Corp. Cowboy Space Corp is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient, and continuous space-based solar energy. We are tackling ...

Aetherflux

Sr. Software Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Sr. Software 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 ...

Aetherflux

Senior Spacecraft Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Senior Spacecraft Engineer 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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSpace Cowboy Jobs

Space Cowboy information

See salary details

$14

$20

$29

How much do space cowboy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for space cowboy in the United States is $20.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Space Cowboy vs Space Pilot?

AspectSpace CowboySpace Pilot
Required CredentialsMinimal formal education, often self-taught or informal trainingCommercial or military pilot licenses, specialized training
Work EnvironmentSpace-themed entertainment, promotional events, or private space venturesSpacecraft operation, space agencies, commercial spaceflight
Industry UsageEntertainment, marketing, private space tourismAerospace, space agencies, commercial spaceflight companies

While both roles involve space-related activities, a Space Cowboy typically works in entertainment or promotional settings with informal training, whereas a Space Pilot operates spacecraft professionally, requiring formal licenses and training within the aerospace industry.

What jobs make $3,000 a day?

In the context of a Space Cowboy, high-paying roles such as experienced commercial pilots, private spacecraft operators, or specialized aerospace consultants can earn around $3,000 daily. These positions typically require advanced technical skills, certifications, and experience in the space or aviation industry.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the context of a space cowboy or related roles, high-paying jobs such as aerospace executives, senior pilots, or specialized engineers in the space industry can reach or exceed $500,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced technical skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or specialized knowledge in aerospace technology or operations.

How much do space cowboys make?

Space cowboys, a fictional or themed role often associated with space-themed entertainment or events, do not have standardized salaries. If referring to actual space-related careers such as astronauts or aerospace professionals, salaries vary widely, with astronauts earning from around $66,000 to over $160,000 annually depending on experience and agency. For entertainment or promotional roles, compensation depends on the employer and project scope.

What are Space Cowboys?

Space Cowboys are fictional or stylized characters often depicted in science fiction media as adventurous individuals who explore and navigate outer space, typically in a manner reminiscent of traditional cowboys from the American West. They might be bounty hunters, pilots, or explorers who operate independently or in small crews, facing danger and seeking excitement among the stars. The term is popularized by movies, TV shows, and anime, most notably 'Cowboy Bebop.' While not a real-world occupation, the concept captures the spirit of adventure and rugged individualism applied to futuristic space settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Space Cowboy, and why are they important?

I'm sorry, but 'Space Cowboy' is not a recognized real-world professional occupation, so I cannot provide an employment-related response.

What do space cowboys do?

A space cowboy is a fictional or themed role often associated with sci-fi settings, involving activities like piloting spacecraft, managing interstellar cargo, or engaging in space-related adventures. In real-world contexts, the term is sometimes used creatively for roles in space-themed entertainment or marketing, but it does not refer to an actual job with specific responsibilities.
More about Space Cowboy jobs
What states have the most Space Cowboy jobs? States with the most job openings for Space Cowboy jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Space Cowboy jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Space Cowboy jobs are:
Space Cowboy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Space Cowboy job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, 33% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 24% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $42,416 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Head of Primary Structures

Aetherflux

Seattle, WA • On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

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 powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), 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:
Own the design, build, and performance of the vehicle's primary structures. This includes airframe, tanks, thrust structure, interstages, raceways, strakes and thermal protection. Responsible for ensuring the vehicle survives flight, landing, and rapid reuse with minimal mass and maximum reliability.
Responsibilities:
  • Own the primary airframe: propellant tanks, interstages, and thrust structure from concept through flight.
  • Drive structural design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and thermal requirements.
  • Ensure hardware survives combined ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments.
  • Lead structural analysis (FEA, hand calcs) and validate with test and flight data.
  • Define and execute structural test campaigns (component, subscale, full-scale).
  • Work directly with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues on the floor.
  • Identify and close failure modes through rapid design-test-learn cycles.
  • Support flight operations, anomaly investigation, and post-flight inspection/refurbishment improvements.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
  • 8+ years of experience in structural design, analysis, or mechanisms for flight hardware or high-performance systems.
  • Experience with load paths, structural sizing, and material selection.
  • Hands-on experience taking hardware from design through build and test.
  • Experience leading engineers or a team

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with launch vehicles or reusable flight systems.
  • Strong background in metallic structures, welding, and/or composites.
  • Experience designing mechanisms (deployment, separation, hinges, latches).
  • Familiarity with cryogenic structures and/or high-temperature environments.
  • Proficiency with FEA tools and ability to validate with real-world data.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $225,000 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.

Apply