Network Systems Engineer

At Stoke, we believe that a thriving space economy leads to a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future here on Earth. That is why we are building our fully and rapidly reusable vehicle, Nova. It is designed to fly daily and solve the core challenges of space transportation – it reduces cost, increases availability, and enhances reliability. By radically lowering the cost and increasing the cadence of launch, we’re able to create a truly scalable space industry. Our team is mission‑driven, collaborative, and empowered with ownership of their work. If you want to work with some of the most dedicated and talented people on Earth, come join us. Description Reusable launch systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. Reusable systems with frequent launch cadence are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. A highly operable, reliable, and robust network infrastructure is an integral part of a fully reusable launch system. As a Network Systems Engineer on Stoke Space’s Information Technology team, you’ll deploy, document and maintain robust network architectures, cloud infrastructure integration and related network services (DNS, DHCP, VPN, etc.) that meet our rapidly growing needs while facilitating a successful startup culture as we race towards our first launch of Nova. We are a small and motivated team, and you will work across the entire Stoke organization and bring expertise in networking technologies, security best practices, and performance optimization. This is a hands‑on role in a fast‑paced startup environment — ideal for someone who thrives on autonomy, technical depth, and cross‑functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have experience working within NIST frameworks and ensuring network security compliance. You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self‑direct, and learn on the fly. Responsibilities Design, implement, and manage enterprise network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, Wi‑Fi, VPN, firewalls, and cloud‑based networking solutions Ensure network security through proper configuration, monitoring, and adherence to security policies and NIST frameworks Collaborate with IT and security teams to develop and maintain secure network access policies/ACLs Lead network upgrades, migrations, and system integrations to support business growth and technology advancements Implement automation and monitoring tools to proactively detect and resolve network issues Document network configurations, processes, and standard operating procedures Assist remote teams including IT, software, and avionics with on‑site support of various ranges of equipment and software tools as we build and begin to operate our launch complex at Cape Canaveral Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational goals and objectives Occasional travel to other Stoke facilities Qualifications Exceptional understanding of the OSI model and IP network standards 5+ years of experience in network engineering, including designing, monitoring, and troubleshooting LAN/WAN networks in enterprise/campus environments Expert knowledge of switching and routing protocols (VLAN, RSTP, ARP, BGP, OSPF, etc.) Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills with the ability to analyze and resolve complex network issues Hands‑on experience with firewalls (Fortinet, Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, etc.), VPNs, and network security solutions Ability to work agnostically with hardware from multiple vendors, examples: Fortinet, Unifi, MikroTik, etc. Experience with enterprise WiFi technologies, including design, implementation, troubleshooting, and optimization of wireless networks for high‑density environments Strong technical acumen with the ability to perform hands‑on support and troubleshooting across a broad range of IT systems, including networking, hardware, software, and end‑user support Excellent written and verbal communication Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, a related STEM field, or equivalent experience Preferred Qualifications Experience with AWS network infrastructure Expertise with Ubiquiti hardware Familiarity with Microsoft Windows Server and Linux Experience in aerospace systems, mission or ground control operations, or other safety‑critical network environments Experience working in regulated industries with compliance standards (NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA, etc.) Benefits Equity – We know that our employees are the reason we succeed. To give everyone a stake in our future, 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 3 range: $127,200 - $190,800 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. 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., 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. Equal Opportunity The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including with respect to disability and veteran status. It is committed to compliance with all equal opportunity laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Title VII. It does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, citizenship, immigration status, or any other protected class when it comes to employment practices, including hiring. Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and backgroundchecks, and on your ability to prove your identity and authorization to work in the U.S. for the Company. Employees must comply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services employment verification requirements, and, therefore, they must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I‑9 at the start of employment and re‑verify authorization to work periodically. Separate from this I‑9 process, this position entails access to certain technology and technical data that is restricted under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Employment or continued employment may be conditioned on your legal authorization to work with or have access to export control materials as necessary to perform your job. E-Verify Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. #J-18808-Ljbffr