Mechanical Engineer

Stoke Space • Kent, WA

2h • $109,725 - $193,620

About The Position

Stoke is building Nova, a fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle, to reduce launch costs, increase availability, and improve reliability. This role is part of a new organization developing products on a 3–10 year horizon that expand Stoke beyond launch, including spacecraft and on-orbit mobility, downmass, satellites, platforms, and factories.

The Mechanical Engineer will be one of the organization’s first hands-on engineers, owning spacecraft hardware from initial concept through flight. The work spans structures, mechanisms, propellant and fluid component packaging, avionics packaging, thermal hardware, and interfaces to Nova. The team is small and cross-disciplinary, requiring independent ownership and practical problem-solving throughout design, manufacturing, testing, and flight operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 2 years of hands-on engineering experience designing, building, and testing hardware; internships and major university projects count.
• Exceptional command of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and creating detailed manufacturing drawings; NX is preferred.
• Working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience with structural analysis using both hand calculations and FEA.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including machining, sheet metal, welding, and additive manufacturing.
• Ability to take ownership, work independently, and deliver results.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex problems simply.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), to meet ITAR requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with NX and ANSYS or similar tools.
• Spacecraft or launch vehicle hardware background, including design for launch loads, deployment, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, and vacuum.
• Experience with mechanisms, deployables, or separation systems.
• Experience with thermal control hardware such as radiators, heaters, MLI, or heat pipes, or with propellant tank and fluid line packaging.
• Hands-on experience with test campaigns, including test plans, instrumentation, running tests, and analyzing data.
• Exposure to avionics integration, harness routing, or electronics packaging.
• Experience in fast-paced startup or rapid development environments.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical and structural hardware from concept through flight operations.
• Design and analyze spacecraft primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, fluid and avionics component packaging, and launch-vehicle interface hardware.
• Perform structural and thermal analysis using hand calculations and FEA, selecting appropriate tools for each problem.
• Write margin summaries and develop loads and load cases for launch, deployment, and on-orbit environments.
• Create CAD models and manufacturing drawings with proper GD&T.
• Work directly with machinists, welders, and technicians to build and test hardware.
• Procure parts, manage suppliers, and keep hardware on schedule and on budget.
• Troubleshoot failures, disposition non-conformances, and drive root-cause corrective action.
• Test and improve hardware through vibration, thermal, thermal-vacuum, structural, and pressure testing.
• Support design reviews and communicate technical decisions clearly.
• Continuously improve designs to reduce cost, increase reliability, and improve manufacturability.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level