Structures Design Engineer

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.

Description

Fully reusable launch vehicles are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. As an aerospace Structures Design Engineer on this launch vehicle, you will own the design, analysis, and first build of various components on the rocket. The pressurized and unpressurized structures, thrust structures, load path definition, and secondary structures are all a part of what our team works on. We are still a small team with lofty goals, so you will own a significant amount of scope within the Structures sub‑system and will work with engineers and technicians across multiple disciplines while doing your work. As with all Responsible Engineer positions at Stoke, we focus on the hardware. You will be expected to fully understand and support your hardware from blank sheet design through functioning product, including design, analysis, procurement, manufacturing, test, and flight.

Qualifications

• Preferred 2 years in industry experience with design, build, and/or testing of vehicle structures
• Exceptional command of fundamentals
• Demonstrated experience working on one or more development projects through the full lifecycle, from concept through sustained operations, on an aerospace or similar high‑performance product
• Proficiency with CAD software (NX preferred) and analysis software (ANSYS preferred)
• Ability to determine appropriate level of work for a problem (from hand calcs to multi‑physics finite element solutions) and execute the work accordingly
• Familiarity with launch vehicle design desired (cryogenic propellant familiarity preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Responsibilities

• Define the structural design of the rocket in coordination with owners of other portions of the vehicle
• Analyze structural components of the rocket and write margin summaries. May involve developing loads or load cases.
• Procure and manage all hardware for components and structures that you own
• Work side‑by‑side with manufacturing & test engineers to get the first several articles built and tested
• Track and disposition non‑conformances for structural hardware
• Manage the budget and schedule for the structural components that you own

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 2 Range: $109,725 – $148,470
• Level 3 Range: $129,150 – $193,620

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 Eligibility

Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and background checks, 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.