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Stoke Space

Fully reusable rocket launch provider.

Mechanical Design Manager - Nova Stage 1 Aft

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeKent, WA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • Five or more years of experience in aerospace structures and mechanical design, including design, build, and test of space vehicle systems.
  • Two or more years of experience leading a team of engineers.
  • Designed, built, and tested structures that have flown.
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a similar field.
  • Exceptional command of structural design fundamentals, including statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and design for manufacturing.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) software and analysis software, with multiple examples of both; NX and ANSYS are preferred.
  • Experience with technical mentoring and developing junior engineers.
  • Project management experience, including developing resource-loaded schedules.
  • Hands-on experience performing fabrication and assembly of components.
  • Proficiency in relevant software tools such as NX, ANSYS, Python, MATLAB, and Excel, or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with launch vehicle design; cryogenic propellant familiarity is preferred.
  • Willingness to relocate to Seattle, Washington.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Responsibilities

  • Own the technical roadmap for aft-end structural and mechanical design on current and future vehicles.
  • Lead execution of structures and mechanical designs from concept through release, build, testing, and vehicle-level operations.
  • Provide technical leadership for primary and secondary structure design and analysis.
  • Define and optimize structural load paths for the aft end of the vehicle.
  • Oversee integration of fluids systems hardware with primary vehicle structures.
  • Create technical standards and guides for space vehicle structural and mechanical design.
  • Hire, grow, and mentor a team of mechanical and structures design engineers.
  • Provide technical coaching in structures, strength of materials, design for manufacturing, and space vehicle design and qualification.
  • Determine the appropriate level of analysis for problems, from hand calculations to multi-physics finite element solutions, and guide team execution accordingly.
  • Maintain a culture of integrity, reliability, and fast iteration.
  • Lead engineers through design, development, integration, and testing of structural and mechanical systems, including primary and secondary structures and aft-end fluids and avionics systems.
  • Own hardware projects from requirements definition through development, design, analysis, build, test, vehicle integration, and flight.
  • Work across disciplines with engineers and technicians to complete work, and participate hands-on in hardware build and testing alongside the fabrication team.
  • Provide mentorship to younger team members and interns.

Desired Qualifications

  • NX is preferred for computer-aided design software.
  • ANSYS is preferred for analysis software.
  • Cryogenic propellant familiarity is preferred.

About the Company

Stoke Space

Fully reusable rocket launch provider.

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, WA
Founded
2019

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