Full-Time

Launch Engineer

Mechanical, GSE Mechanisms

Posted on 8/22/2026

Stoke Space

Stoke Space

201-500 employees

Launches reusable rockets; analyzes satellite data

Compensation Overview

$109.7k - $193.6k/yr

+ Stock options + 401(k) employer match

No H1B Sponsorship

Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

In Person

Willingness to relocate to Cape Canaveral, Florida is required.

US Citizenship Required

Bachelor's

Category
Aerospace Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Welding
GD&T
AWS
Siemens Teamcenter

Get referred to Stoke Space

See people who can refer or advise you

Requirements
  • At least 3 years of experience designing, building, and testing large mechanisms.
  • A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a similar field.
  • Proficiency with NX, Teamcenter, or similar 3D computer-aided design and configuration-control management software.
  • Proficiency with Ansys, Femap, or other finite-element-method analysis tools.
  • Proficiency in design for manufacturing and a solid understanding of machining, welding, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and other design-fabrication processes.
  • Familiarity with hydraulics and pressurized systems.
  • Familiarity with mechanical industrial standards such as ASME and AWS.
  • Ability to troubleshoot problems and implement solutions in real time.
  • Ability to prioritize and execute on short timelines.
  • Ability to lead and follow.
  • Willingness to relocate to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  • Authorization to work with U.S. export-controlled space technology and technical data under applicable ITAR requirements.
Responsibilities
  • Design, fabricate, test, and support operations for mechanisms used for launch operations.
  • Work with responsible engineers, technicians, and vendors or contractors to plan, coordinate, and execute fabrication, preparation, testing, and installation of ground support equipment at the launch site.
  • Collaborate with Nova vehicle engineers and designers to establish requirements and interfaces.
  • Collaborate with other ground-support-equipment disciplines, including hydraulics, electrical, controls, and fluids, to create an integrated design.
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute fabrication, preparation, testing, and installation of ground support equipment from tooling to pad systems with responsible engineers, technicians, and vendors or contractors.
  • Generate, execute, and maintain workflow documentation.
Desired Qualifications
  • At least 5 years of experience as an engineer at a launch site or at a facility supporting launch hardware, or equivalent experience with similar high-performance applications.
  • Experience with T-0 release devices.
  • Proficiency with AFSPCMAN 91-710 and Space Force range requirements.
  • Experience with P&IDs and hydraulic schematics.

Stoke Space Technologies builds 100% reusable rockets to provide daily access to Earth's orbit and offers satellite data services for environmental monitoring. Rockets launch, land, and are reused, while data from missions like SWOT and MAIA are delivered to clients to study freshwater, oceans, aerosols, health, and climate issues. The company distinguishes itself by pairing frequent launch capability with analytics-ready satellite data to reduce costs and expand access for regular, data-driven environmental monitoring. Its goal is to make space access routine and to use space-based data to promote sustainable growth and environmental preservation on Earth.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Series E

Total Funding

$2.4B

Headquarters

Seattle, Washington

Founded

2019

Get referred to Stoke Space

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Stoke closed an $860 million Series D in February 2026, totaling $1.34 billion.
  • Bloomberg reported an August 2026 $1 billion raise at a $9 billion valuation.
  • First Nova liftoff from Cape Canaveral is expected in 2026, compressing commercialization.

What critics are saying

  • Nova still lacks an orbital flight; one failure can freeze fundraising and contracts in 2026.
  • SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ULA already control launch demand before Stoke proves daily cadence.
  • A $9 billion valuation before revenue makes a missed 2026 launch existential.

What makes Stoke Space unique

  • Nova targets fully reusable first and second stages, a rare architecture beyond SpaceX.
  • NASA's June 2026 partnership validates Stoke's reentry technology and deepens test access.
  • Launch Complex 14 and Space Force backing give Stoke a government-grade launch foothold.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

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

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

-2%
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.

Business Wire
Feb 11th, 2026
Stoke Space Technologies Extends Previously Announced Series D Financing to $860 Million

Stoke Space Technologies extends previously announced Series D Financing to $860 million.

Benzinga
Feb 10th, 2026
Stoke Space raises $860M in extended Series D to accelerate Nova rocket development

Stoke Space Technologies has extended its Series D funding round to $860 million, up from the $510 million initially announced in October 2025. The rocket company is developing fully and rapidly reusable medium-lift launch vehicles. The original funding was earmarked for completing Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and expanding production capacity for its Nova launch vehicle. The additional capital will accelerate future elements of the company's product roadmap. Founded by CEO Andy Lapsa, Stoke has now raised $1.34 billion in total funding. The company is backed by the US Space Force, Defence Innovation Unit, NASA and the National Science Foundation, amongst other government and private partners. Terms of the funding extension were not disclosed.

Stoke Space
Oct 8th, 2025
Stoke Raises $510 Million to Scale Manufacturing of Fully reusable Nova Launch vehicle | Stoke Space / 100% reusable rockets / USA

October 8, 2025 — We’re pleased to announce that as of September 23, we have raised $510 million in Series D funding led by Thomas Tull’s US Innovative Technology Fund (USIT) in conjunction with a $100...