Mechanical Design Manager - Nova Stage 1 Aft
Leads the engineering team designing the aft end of Stoke's fully reusable Nova rocket first stage — primary/secondary structures, cryogenic propellant and high-pressure gas systems, and thrust vector control — taking hardware from design through build, test, integration, and flight. Core tools: NX (CAD), ANSYS, Python, Matlab.
- Compensation
- $129.2K–$252.1K / yr
- Location
- Kent, United States
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Full time
- Experience
- 2+ years
- Category
- Design
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace structures and mechanical design, including design, build, and test of space vehicle systems
- 2+ years of experience leading a team of engineers
- Designed, built, and tested structures that have flown
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering, or similar
- Exceptional command of structural design fundamentals (statics, dynamics, strength of materials, design for manufacturing)
- Demonstrated proficiency with CAD software (NX preferred) and analysis software (ANSYS preferred), with multiple examples of both
- Experience with technical mentoring and developing junior engineers
- Project management experience including developing resource-loaded schedules
- Hands-on experience performing fabrication and assembly of components
- Proficiency in relevant software tools (NX, ANSYS, Python, Matlab, Excel, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with launch vehicle design
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Willing to relocate to Seattle, WA
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (ITAR)
Nice to have
- Cryogenic propellant familiarity
Full description
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
In the role of Mechanical Design Manager for Stage 1 Aft End, you will lead a team of engineers through the design, development, integration, and test of critical structural and mechanical systems. You will provide technical leadership for primary structure, and secondary structure design/analysis, while also owning the build and integration of aft end fluids and avionics systems. These systems include cryogenic propellant management, high pressure gas systems, thrust vector control, etc. for a high performance and fully reusable vehicle.
This role requires a structural/mechanical mindset with the ability to design and build complex mechanical and fluid systems. Your team will be composed of Responsible Engineers for significant sub-systems on our vehicles and requires owning hardware projects from requirements definition, through development, design, analysis, build, test, integration onto the vehicle, and flight. We are a small and motivated team, and you will need to work across disciplines with engineers and technicians to get the job done. You will have the opportunity to help build and test your own hardware so be ready to pick up a wrench and stand side by side with our fabrication team. This role will also provide mentorship to our younger team members and interns.
Responsibilities
- Own the technical roadmap for aft end structural and mechanical design on current and future vehicles
- Lead the execution of structures and mechanical designs from concept through release, build, testing, and vehicle-level operations
- Provide technical leadership for primary structure, and secondary structure design and analysis
- Define and optimize structural load paths for the aft end of the vehicle
- Oversee integration of fluids systems hardware with primary vehicle structures
- Create lasting technical standards and guides for space vehicle structural and mechanical design
- Hire, grow, and mentor a team of mechanical and structures design engineers
- Provide technical coaching in areas such as structures, strength of materials, design for manufacturing, and space vehicle design and qualification