Principal EMI/EMC Engineer
About The Position
Stoke is building Nova, a fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle designed for daily flight. The company’s mission is to lower launch costs and increase availability and reliability to enable a scalable space industry. As Stoke’s first EMI/EMC engineer, you will establish and own the electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) program from the ground up. You will ensure electronics perform reliably across demanding electromagnetic environments by setting requirements, designing solutions, identifying risks, and planning and performing EMI/EMC testing. You will also interface with external agencies for certification, seek state-of-the-art solutions, and help define company standards for avionics development. This is a hands-on, high-impact role in a fast-paced startup where focus, self-direction, adaptability, and rapid learning are important. The role is primarily on-site at Stoke’s headquarters in Kent, Washington. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of EMI/EMC engineering experience with direct involvement in aerospace systems such as launch vehicles, spacecraft, or aircraft.
- Advanced degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field.
- Previous work experience with MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-464, and NASA-STD-4003 documentation.
- Knowledge of in-atmosphere and in-space EMI/EMC, including space plasma effects, charging, grounding, bonding, shielding, low-radiated-emissions design, lightning, electromagnetic field coupling, Maxwell’s equations, boundary conditions, image charge/current, and lumped-element modeling.
- Knowledge of materials and electrical properties, including paint, anodize, alodine, surface finish, electrical conductivity, volume resistivity, and surface resistance.
- Demonstrated experience troubleshooting EMI events from system to board level.
- Proficiency with EMI/EMC test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, EMI receivers, antennas, LISNs, and current probes.
- Familiarity with simulation tools such as SPICE, HFSS, or CST.
- Strong knowledge of RF principles and RF engineering.
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment with flight hardware.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Availability to work primarily on-site in person at Stoke’s headquarters in Kent, Washington.
- Rigorous attention to detail.
- Ability to lead and follow.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), to meet U.S. space technology export-control requirements.
Responsibilities
- Establish EMI/EMC requirements, specifications, control plans, and design guidelines for the launch vehicle and its subsystems, flowing platform-level needs down to hardware.
- Perform analyses of conducted and radiated emissions and susceptibility, bonding and grounding, lightning effects, electrostatic discharge, triboelectric charging, multipaction, and spacecraft charging.
- Collaborate with avionics, RF, power, propulsion, structures, and software teams to integrate EMI/EMC practices and mitigations early in the design cycle.
- Develop and execute EMI/EMC test plans and procedures, including pre-compliance screening, formal qualification, and system-level testing.
- Lead EMI/EMC troubleshooting and root-cause investigations, implement corrective actions, and verify their effectiveness.
- Create and maintain EMI/EMC requirements, analyses, test reports, verification matrices, and certification packages for internal reviews and external approvals.
- Define, procure, and/or oversee EMI/EMC test facilities and equipment, and coordinate with external laboratories when needed.
- Ensure compliance and certification against relevant standards, including MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-464D, NASA-STD-4003, NASA-HDBK-4002B, and applicable range safety and launch vehicle requirements.
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.
- Four weeks of paid time off.
- 11 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
Principal
