Mechanical Design Manager - Fluids

Doist; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in stock options

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off (4 weeks)

Holidays (10 days)

Paid family/parential leave

On-site gym / wellness stipend

Dog friendly offices

Job summary

Stoke Space is seeking a Mechanical Design Manager to lead a team of engineers in the design, development, integration, and test of stage fluids systems for a fully reusable launch vehicle. You will own the technical roadmap and drive designs from concept to flight, while mentoring engineers and establishing standards.

Qualifications include 5+ years in space vehicle mechanical design, 1+ year leadership, and a Bachelor's in mechanical/aerospace engineering. Seattle relocation required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years design or build/test experience on space vehicle mechanical systems.
• 1+ year leading a team of engineers.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related field.
• Strong fundamentals in statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and design for manufacturing.
• Experience with resource-loaded scheduling and project management.
• Hands-on fabrication and assembly of components.
• Proficiency in NX, ANSYS, Python, MATLAB, Excel, or equivalents.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap for stage fluids mechanical design across current and future vehicles.
• Lead design execution from concept through release, build, test, and vehicle operations.
• Create and maintain technical standards and guides for space vehicle mechanical design.
• Hire, grow, and mentor a team of mechanical design engineers.
• Provide coaching in structures, fluids, design for manufacturing, and vehicle design/qualification.
• Maintain a culture of integrity, reliability, and fast iteration.

Skills

5+ years design experience

Team leadership

Project management

Hands-on fabrication/assembly

Mechanical design fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

NX

ANSYS

Python

MATLAB

Excel

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.

Description In the role of Mechanical Design Manager, you will be responsible for leading a team of engineers through the design, development, integration and test of critical stage fluids system hardware. Specific design challenges include cryogenic propellant management systems, high pressure gas systems, reaction control systems, and tank pressurization systems for a high performance and fully reusable vehicle. Members of the stage fluids mechanical design team are the extreme owner of their products, responsible for the sizing of fluids components as well as the structural engineering required to mount the hardware to the vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap for stage fluids mechanical design on current and future vehicles
• Lead the execution of fluids designs from concept through release, build, testing, and vehicle-level operations
• Create lasting technical standards and guides for space vehicle mechanical design
• Hire, grow, and mentor a team of mechanical design engineers
• Provide technical coaching in areas such as structures, fluids, design for manufacturing, and space vehicle design and qualification.
• Maintain a culture of integrity, reliability, and fast iteration.

Qualifications

• 5 + years of experience in design or a combination of design, build, and test of space vehicle mechanical systems
• 1+ years of experience leading a team of engineers
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering, or similar
• Mastery of fundamentals in mechanical design, including statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and design for manufacturing
• 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)
• Willing to relocate to Seattle, WA

Benefits

• 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.
• 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
• Holidays - 10 days (including an end-of-year closure)
• Paid Family/Parental Leave
• On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)
• Dog friendly offices!

Compensation

Target Levels: Level 3 Range: $129,150 - $193,620 Level 4 Range: $151,305 - $252,105

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.

ITAR Requirements

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.

Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and background checks, 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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Candidate Rights & Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or participate in the interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Requests will be handled in accordance with applicable laws.

Please do not include medical or other confidential information in your initial request.

For more information about your rights, please refer to the "Know Your Rights" notice here.

E-Verify

Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

For more information on the right to work, please refer to the poster here.