In-Space Propulsion Lead — Architect & Lead Propulsion Systems

MaC VC; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 393,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in stock options

Comprehensive medical, dental, and 401

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

4 weeks paid time off

Holidays 10 days including year-end

Job summary

Stoke Space seeks an In-Space Propulsion Lead to own propulsion for our Nova-focused projects. You will define propulsion architecture, lead vendor diligence, and drive design, analysis, testing, and flight qualification of propulsion systems.

You will manage propellant budgets and contribute to mission design and system trades. You will lead root-cause investigations, mentor the propulsion team, and push for rapid, well-reasoned decisions with incomplete information while staying aligned with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace or chemical engineering, physics or related field.
• 10+ years propulsion experience with in-space flight hardware from design through qualification and flight.
• Hands-on experience with one class of in-space propulsion (chemical or electric) and working knowledge of others.
• Experience leading a propulsion team or program with accountability for technical output, schedule and budget.
• Strong fundamentals in combustion, heat transfer, fluid flow, and propellant management systems.
• Experience owning test campaigns from test plans through hot fire and anomaly resolution.
• Ability to make rapid, well‑reasoned propulsion architecture decisions with incomplete information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define propulsion architecture for group products: thrust, Isp and mass trades, propellant and feed system selection.
• Lead build-versus-acquire-versus-partner decisions for propulsion with supplier diligence and cost/schedule models.
• Own design, analysis, manufacturing plan, test plan and qualification of propulsion systems.
• Own propellant management over mission life: thermal control, pressurization, leakage and budgets.
• Establish propulsion test capability from component to system level hot fire.
• Provide propulsion inputs to mission design and vehicle architecture trades.
• Lead root-cause investigations, risk mitigation, schedules and budgets for propulsion development.
• Help grow the propulsion team as the product matures.

Skills

Propulsion architecture decisions

Team leadership

In-space propulsion knowledge

Design through qualification and fly

Written and verbal communication

Analytical reasoning

Problem solving under uncertainty

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace or chemical engineering, physics or related field

Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering (preferred)

Job description

Stoke Space seeks an In-Space Propulsion Lead to own propulsion for our Nova-focused projects. You will define propulsion architecture, lead vendor diligence, and drive design, analysis, testing, and flight qualification of propulsion systems.

You will manage propellant budgets and contribute to mission design and system trades. You will lead root-cause investigations, mentor the propulsion team, and push for rapid, well-reasoned decisions with incomplete information while staying aligned with