Senior Propulsion Engineer

About the role

At Stoke, we believe a thriving space economy will enable a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future here on Earth. That is why we're building Nova, our fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle. Designed for daily flight, Nova tackles the core challenges of space transportation by reducing cost, increasing availability, and improving reliability. By radically lowering launch costs and increasing flight cadence, we're helping create a truly scalable space industry.

Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and empowered to take ownership of their work. If you want to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people on Earth, we'd love to have you join us.

About the role

Reusable systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. Stoke's Engines Team is developing reusable LNG/LOX full-flow staged combustion first stage engines and a LH2/LOX expander second stage engine for our launch vehicle, Nova.

As a Senior Engines Design Engineer, you will have extreme ownership over all aspects of a components design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and validation for an advanced reusable rocket engine (components like thrust chambers, reentry heat shields, injectors, turbomachinery, actuators, ignitors, etc). You will be a key member of engines development team working through all phases of the product lifecycle.

You will seek out state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques and tools to solve challenging problems, and you will continuously iterate and improve your designs. You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self-direct, and learn on the fly.

Responsibilities

• Own various component designs across Stoke's engines. Examples may include: regeneratively cooled thrust chambers, reentry heat shields, injectors, turbomachinery, actuators, ignitors, cryogenic flexible feedlines, engine layouts, heat exchangers, engine gimbals, thrust structure, test rigs, etc.
• Create models, drawings, and coordinate manufacturing of various components for the engines team
• Develop and execute qualification test plans to ensure readiness for flight (proof, vibration, thermal cycle, life cycle, flow testing, hotfire, etc)
• Present and clearly communicate design, analysis, and test results
• Own root cause investigations and redesigns to improve reliability or manufacturing throughput.
• Track risks and execute appropriate mitigation plans.
• Develop and maintain test requirements and test plans
• Manage project schedules, risk, and budget

Qualifications

• Exceptional command of fundamentals
• Experience with detailed mechanical design including machined parts, additive parts, weldments, fasteners, seals, and translating/rotating assemblies
• Experience in designing, analyzing, and testing rocket engine components; thrust chambers, regenerative cooling channels and heatshields, injectors, turbomachinery, actuators, ignitors, gimbals, feed systems, engine layouts, etc.
• Experience in GD&T, axial/radial tolerance stackups, and material selections
• Experience post-processing test data to evaluate component performance and health
• Proficiency in heat transfer, compressible and incompressible flow, and cryogenics
• Proficiency with CAD tools (Siemens NX preferred)
• 8+ years of experience in design, build, and testing of rocket engine components
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or similar
• Willing to relocate to Seattle, WA

Benefits

• Equity - We are pleased to offer equity in the form of stock options to all regular, full-time employees.
• Comprehensive benefits program including subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• 4 weeks' Paid Time Off
• Holidays - 10 days (including an end-of-year closure)
• Paid Family/Parental Leave
• On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)
• Dog friendly offices!

Compensation

Target Levels

• Level 4 Range: $151,305 - $252,105
• Level 5 Range: $176,505 - $327,810

Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per-candidate basis.

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

#LI-CA1

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (i.e., current Green Card holder), or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).