Assembly Technician - Aft End New Kent, Washington

Stoke Space; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity – stock options

Company-paid life and disability

401(k) with employer match

Holidays – 10 days

On-site gym or wellness stipend

Dog friendly offices

Job summary

Stoke Space in Kent, WA is seeking an Assembly Technician for Aft-End to join a mission-driven team building Nova, a fully reusable launch vehicle designed for daily flight.

You will lead hands-on assembly and integration of the rocket's aft section, ensuring tight tolerances, proper tooling, and precise documentation. This role requires collaboration with engineering, safety focus, and a drive for quality and reliability.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on aerospace manufacturing or rocket/jet engine assembly.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and schematics.
• Experience with precision measuring tools (calipers, micrometers) and torque wrenches.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to motivate and lead a team to maintain high quality.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and integrate rocket engines, structure, and subsystems at the aft end.
• Lead AFT build and integration from start to finish, including layout, tooling, and scheduling.
• Install and torque flight-critical hardware per drawings and work instructions.
• Perform precision alignments and measurements using calibrated tools.
• Support pressurized pneumatic/cryogenic testing and leak checks.
• Collaborate with engineering to troubleshoot and improve processes.
• Maintain clean, safe work area with proper FOD, ESD, and cleanliness standards.
• Document all assembly and test activities for traceability.

Skills

Hands-on aerospace manufacturing

Read engineering drawings

Precision measuring tools

Troubleshooting

Communication

Team leadership

Tools

3D CAD software

ERP/MRP systems

Job 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.

Job Description

As an Assembly Technician for Aft-End, you are at the heart of building our reusable launch vehicle. You will be responsible for the hands‑on integration of one of the most complex sections of the rocket - bringing together the primary structure, propulsion systems, fluid lines, and avionics to form the powerhouse of the vehicle. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, technical excellence, and a passion for building flight‑critical hardware in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands‑on assembly and integration of rocket engines, structure, and associated subsystems onto the vehicle's aft end.
• Own and lead AFT build and integration from beginning to end, including area layout, tooling, processes, scheduling and daily tasking of work.
• Install and torque flight‑critical hardware, including fasteners, fluid lines, harnesses, and instrumentation, according to detailed engineering drawings and work instructions.
• Execute precision alignments, fit‑checks, and measurements on large and small‑scale assemblies using calibrated tools like torque wrenches, micrometers, and calipers.
• Conduct and support pressurized pneumatic/cryogenic testing, leak checks, and functional checkouts of integrated propulsion systems.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to troubleshoot integration issues, document non‑conformances, and contribute to process improvements.
• Maintain a meticulously clean and organized work environment, adhering to all FOD (Foreign Object Debris), ESD, and cleanliness standards.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, and heavy equipment (cranes, forklifts) safely around flight hardware.
• Keep precise documentation of all assembly, integration, and test activities to ensure full traceability.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands‑on experience in aerospace manufacturing, aviation maintenance, complex mechanical assembly, or rocket/jet engine assembly and test.
• Proven ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, blueprints, and schematics.
• Demonstrated proficiency with precision measuring instruments (e.g., calipers, micrometers) and calibrated hand tools (e.g., torque wrenches).
• Strong mechanical aptitude with excellent troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and a passion for organization
• Ability to motivate others, delegate effectively, and hold the team accountable to the highest standards of quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with launch vehicle assembly, integration, or testing.
• Experience working with cryogenic fluids (e.g., Liquid Oxygen, Methane) and high‑pressure systems.
• Knowledge of pressure, temperature, and flow measurement devices.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and 5S principles.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (for model viewing) and/or ERP/MRP systems

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted and be comfortable working in confined spaces and at heights.
• 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.
• Company‑paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Holidays – 10 days (including an end‑of‑year closure)
• On‑site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)
• Dog friendly offices!

Compensation

Target Levels:

• Level 2 Range: $32.11 - $48.16
• Level 3 Range: $40.13 - $60.17

Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per‑candidate basis.

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including with respect to disability and veteran status. It is committed to compliance with all equal opportunity laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Title VII. It does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, citizenship, immigration status, or any other protected class when it comes to employment practices, including hiring.

Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and backgroundchecks, and on your ability to prove your identity and authorization to work in the U.S. for the Company. Employees must comply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services employment verification requirements, and, therefore, they must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 at the start of employment and re-verify authorization to work periodically.

Separate from this I-9 process, this position entails access to certain technology and technical data that is restricted under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Employment or continued employment may be conditioned on your legal authorization to work with or have access to export control materials as necessary to perform your job.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to