Ground Segment & RF Engineer

Stoke Space • Kent, WA

2h

About The Position

Reliable, real-time data is critical to safe and successful launch operations. As a Ground Segment & RF Engineer in Stoke Space’s Mission Operations department, you will be responsible for ensuring that data from the Nova rocket gets to the control room - clearly, reliably, and by whatever means necessary.
This role owns the end-to-end ground segment, starting at vehicle downlink, and continuing with RF ground stations, ground station location selection, networks and telemetry ingestion. You will define how ground systems are designed, integrated, tested, and operated, and you will be accountable for their performance during integrated testing, rehearsals, and live launch operations.
This role will also be involved in future architecture evaluations when it comes to moving large amounts of data between space assets. Stokes Nova vehicle is architected to be more than just a launch vehicle and will require telemetry and data solutions that enable those end uses.
This is a senior-to-principal level role for someone who has operated real systems in the field and understands that RF and ground systems are not abstract architectures - they must work under time pressure, in harsh environments, and with real consequences. You’ll be expected to identify what needs to be built, close gaps across teams, and make systems operational.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, computer, systems engineering, or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of experience in ground systems, RF systems, mission operations, avionics integration, or telemetry systems
• Direct experience supporting real hardware operations (flight test, launch operations, fielded systems, or equivalent)
• Strong systems-level understanding across RF, networking, software, and operational interfaces
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex systems under time pressure
• Experience writing procedures and documentation used during live operations
• Comfortable taking responsibility for outcomes, not just designs

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or equivalent practical experience
• Experience with launch vehicles, spacecraft, or high-consequence aerospace systems
• Experience supporting live countdowns or mission control operations
• Familiarity with range interfaces, launch site infrastructure, or FAA Part 450 environments
• Experience scaling ground systems from early development through operational cadence
• Demonstrated principal-level ownership of a complex system or capability

Responsibilities

• Own the design, integration, and operation of the end-to-end ground segment for Nova launches
• Ensure reliable telemetry and data flow from the vehicle to mission control during test, launch, flight, and recovery
• Design and operate RF and ground station systems, including antennas, tracking assets, and associated infrastructure
• Define telemetry requirements, data formats, rates, and modes in collaboration with avionics and flight software teams
• Work with Stoke teams to build and maintain telemetry ingest, routing, and distribution systems used by operators and engineers
• Support integrated vehicle RF system testing, pad testing, launch rehearsals, and live launch operations as a responsible engineer
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues across RF, networking, software, and hardware layers—often in real time
• Develop procedures, configurations, and documentation that enable repeatable and reliable operations
• Inform and Influence architecture trades for future iterations of the Nova Launch Vehicle
• Perform future programs systems design and trades and technology evaluations as an RF systems expert for Stoke future products.

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!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees