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Stoke Space

Fully reusable rocket launch provider.

Security Operations Manager

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$92.6k - $138.8k
Senior
Bachelor's
Moses Lake, WA, USA+1 moreMore locations: Kent, WA, USA
In PersonPrimarily supports Kent facilities, with direct support to the Moses Lake test facility.
Security & Protective ServicesSecurity Guarding & Patrol
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required.
  • At least 5 years of experience in physical security, law enforcement, military security, industrial security, or a related field is required.
  • At least 3 years of leadership experience managing security personnel or security programs is required.
  • Demonstrated experience establishing physical security programs, including security strategy, policies, staffing models, and security infrastructure, is required.
  • Experience managing contract guard-force operations is required.
  • Experience with enterprise access control and video surveillance systems is required.
  • Strong incident management and investigation skills are required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances if necessary is required.
  • A valid state security officer license, or eligibility to obtain one, is required.
  • A valid driver's license is required.
  • Strong communication and customer service skills are required.
  • Ability to routinely walk, patrol, and inspect large industrial, manufacturing, and test facilities, including climbing stairs, ladders, and elevated platforms, is required.
  • Ability to work in outdoor and industrial environments, including construction zones in varying weather conditions and while wearing required personal protective equipment, is required.
  • Ability to respond to security incidents and emergencies anywhere on site, including working extended hours, nights, weekends, and test operations as required, is required.
  • Ability to hold and maintain a Federal DBIDS and pass a U.S. Space Force background check is required.
  • Ability to hold and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is required.
  • Willingness to relocate to Kent, Washington, is required.
Responsibilities
  • Lead physical security operations for Stoke’s Kent facilities while providing direct support to the Moses Lake test facility.
  • Develop and implement site-specific security strategies aligned with corporate security policies.
  • Develop multi-year physical security plans addressing current operations, future facility expansion, government programs, and evolving threats.
  • Maintain security plans, post orders, procedures, and operating instructions.
  • Conduct periodic security risk assessments and vulnerability reviews.
  • Oversee day-to-day security operations and site access control.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for security incidents and coordinate response activities.
  • Manage contracted security service providers and guard-force personnel.
  • Coordinate and manage test exclusion areas that extend into public spaces.
  • Support security requirements associated with classified contracts, cleared programs, secure facilities, and government customers.
  • Oversee operation and maintenance of access control systems, closed-circuit television and video management systems, intrusion detection systems, and perimeter security systems.
  • Serve as the primary security liaison with government organizations, law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and emergency management organizations.
  • Coordinate site access requirements, special events, test operations, and security-related government activities.
  • Lead investigations involving security violations, theft, property damage, unauthorized access, workplace violence concerns, and suspicious activity.
  • Support site emergency preparedness and response planning.
  • Develop and deliver security awareness training.
Desired Qualifications
  • Aerospace, defense, launch operations, manufacturing, critical infrastructure, or maritime experience is preferred.
  • Experience working within the National Industrial Security Program or another federal security environment is preferred.
  • Experience interfacing with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is preferred.
  • Familiarity with facility clearance and industrial security requirements, including the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, is preferred.
  • Experience operating within federal or military environments is preferred.
  • Experience supporting government customers and regulatory agencies is preferred.
  • Security certifications such as Physical Security Professional, Certified Protection Professional, ASIS certifications, or Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command certifications are preferred.
  • A Secret or higher security clearance level is preferred.

About the company

Stoke Space is developing Nova rockets with full stage reuse to enable high-cadence, lower-cost access to orbit for commercial satellite operators and government missions. The rockets are designed for rapid reuse of both stages, supporting frequent flights and lower operating costs compared to expendable or partially reusable fleets. The company is progressing toward its first orbital flight with Nova Pathfinder around early 2027, followed by Nova Block 2 capable of lifting about 15 metric tons to low Earth orbit later in the decade. Stoke aims to accelerate reusable launch development and establish a dependable, high-frequency launch capability for customers.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$2.5B

Headquarters

Kent, Washington

Founded

2019

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sept. 8, 2026 Reuters said the round values Stoke near $10 billion.
  • Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral advances, giving Stoke a real Florida pad.
  • Kevin Weil joined the board in 2026, strengthening software, product, and fundraising credibility.

What critics are saying

  • Nova Pathfinder slips past 2027, delaying revenue and handing customers to SpaceX.
  • Any 2027 orbital failure stalls certification, burns cash, and forces another expensive redesign.
  • Block 2 faces a brutal capital wall; one slip risks a stranded, pre-revenue company.

What makes Stoke Space unique

  • 100% reusable Nova architecture targets both stages, unlike partial-reuse Falcon-class rivals.
  • Sept. 2026 Series E lifted total capital to $2.3 billion, funding full-stack reuse.
  • Nova Block 2 targets 15 tons to LEO, pairing medium-lift capacity with rapid turnaround.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Company Equity

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

4%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

1%
MarketScreener
Oct 26th, 2026
Stoke Space lands $150M Pentagon loan commitment to build second Cape Canaveral launchpad

The US Defense Department has signed a $150 million conditional loan commitment with Stoke Space Technologies, a reusable-rocket startup. Stoke will use the money to build its second launchpad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital said the commitment "more broadly supports the expansion of U.S. launch capacity, which is required to meet the rising demand for commercial and national security space launch by the United States Space Force." The loan follows the initial closing of a $1 billion Series E round in September. Stoke said the round brings its total capital raised to $2.3 billion and will speed development of its Nova Block 2 launch vehicle. Stoke targets early 2027 for the first orbital launch of its Nova Pathfinder. Its backers include Point72 Ventures and Y Combinator.

Stoke Space
Sep 9th, 2026
Stoke Space Raises $1 Billion to Accelerate Fully Reusable Launch

Seamless mobility to, through, and from space. Nova is built for 100% reusability, from the start.

Main-Post
Sep 8th, 2026
Porsche SE invests low double-digit millions in US rocket firm Stoke Space

Porsche SE, the majority shareholder of Volkswagen, has invested in US rocket company Stoke Space Technologies. The Stuttgart-based holding company of the Porsche and Piëch families committed a low double-digit million euro amount to the space venture. Stoke Space is developing a two-stage carrier rocket designed for full reusability, enabling higher launch frequency and significantly lower costs than conventional rockets. According to Porsche SE chief Hans Dieter Pötsch, this approach is similar to Elon Musk's SpaceX, which currently dominates the rocket launch market. This marks Porsche SE's second investment in the space sector. In 2021, the holding company invested in Bavarian rocket startup Isar Aerospace, acquiring a low single-digit percentage stake. Stoke Space's "Nova" rocket is scheduled for its first launch in early 2027.

Bloomberg
Aug 13th, 2026
Stoke Space Is Raising $1 Billion to Fund Flagship Nova Rocket

Stoke Space Technologies Inc. is raising $1 billion to accelerate development and production of a fully reusable rocket to challenge Elon Musk’s SpaceX, people familiar with the matter said.

Associated Press
Jul 8th, 2026
Former OpenAI executive Kevin Weil joins Stoke Space board as reusable rocket firm eyes commercial operations

Stoke Space has appointed Kevin Weil to its board of directors. Weil brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience from roles at OpenAI, Planet Labs, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Most recently, he served as vice president of science at OpenAI, focusing on applying AI to scientific discovery. Stoke Space is developing Nova, a fully reusable medium-lift launch vehicle. The company aims to provide low-cost, on-demand space transport with aircraft-like frequency. Weil was part of management teams that took Twitter and Planet public and helped scale Instagram and ChatGPT into global platforms. Stoke's technology development has been funded by the US Space Force, DIU, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. Weil holds degrees in physics and mathematics from Harvard and Stanford.