In-Space Propulsion Lead
About The Position
The In-Space Propulsion Lead owns in-space propulsion for everything the new Stoke organization flies. The organization is developing spacecraft and on-orbit mobility, downmass, satellites, platforms, and factories on a 3–10 year horizon, extending Stoke beyond launch. Its propulsion needs span storable and cryogenic chemical systems, electric propulsion, and future architectures. The role defines propulsion architecture, leads decisions about whether to build, acquire, or partner, and carries selected systems through design, qualification, and flight. It has ownership across design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and validation, and helps develop a propulsion capability used across the product portfolio. The position calls for a self-directed leader who can stay focused, move quickly, and learn on the fly.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or chemical engineering, physics, or a related field.
- 10+ years of propulsion experience, including accountability for in-space propulsion flight hardware from design through qualification and flight.
- Hands-on experience carrying at least one class of in-space propulsion (chemical or electric) through qualification, and working knowledge of the other class.
- Experience leading a propulsion team or program, with accountability for technical output, schedule, and budget.
- Strong fundamentals in combustion, heat transfer, fluid flow, pressurization, and propellant-management systems.
- Experience owning test campaigns, from test plans through hot fire and anomaly resolution.
- Demonstrated ability to make rapid, well-reasoned propulsion-architecture decisions with incomplete information.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to lead and to follow.
Nice To Haves
- Experience across more than one propulsion class or thrust regime, such as high-thrust chemical (storable, green, or cryogenic), electric, or multi-mode combinations.
- Experience with propulsion for long-duration spacecraft (GEO, cislunar, or multi-year LEO) where mission-life propellant management drove the design.
- Experience with refueling interfaces, propellant transfer, or depot concepts.
- Experience building and managing a propulsion engineering team, including hiring and establishing test and manufacturing capability.
- Master's degree or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering or a related field.
Responsibilities
- Define propulsion architectures, including thrust, specific impulse, and mass trades; propellant and propulsion-class selection; feed-system approach; dwell; and refuelability.
- Lead build-versus-acquire-versus-partner decisions, including technical and production diligence on suppliers and acquisition targets, cost and schedule models, and recommendations to leadership.
- Own design, analysis, manufacturing plans, test plans, and qualification for selected propulsion systems, from thrusters through feed systems, tanks, and pressurization.
- Manage propellant over the mission life, including thermal control, pressurization, leakage, and propellant budgets.
- Establish propulsion test capability from component to system-level hot fire, using existing Stoke infrastructure where suitable and specifying new capability where needed.
- Provide propulsion inputs to mission-design and vehicle-architecture trades, partnering with other leads to develop the full system.
- Lead root-cause investigations and manage propulsion-development risks, schedules, and budgets.
- Help grow the propulsion team as the product matures.
Benefits
- Equity in the form of stock options for 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.
- 10 holidays, including an end-of-year closure.
- Paid family/parental leave.
- On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend, depending on location.
- Dog-friendly offices.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
