Stress Analyst

Stoke Space; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 109,725 - 148,470; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in the form of stock options

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

4 weeks Paid Time Off

On-site gym or wellness stipend

Job summary

Stoke Space, located in Kent, Washington, seeks a Structural Analyst to perform critical strength and stability analyses for our advanced launch vehicle Nova. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, with 3-5 years of applicable experience. You will work on pivotal structural integrity enhancements, utilizing FEA tools like ANSYS and NASTRAN, and you must be able to communicate effectively within a collaborative team. The role offers stock options, comprehensive benefits, and encouraging work culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience analyzing launch vehicles, rocket engines, or relevant experience.
• Solid understanding of static, fatigue, and fracture mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Build analytical models to assess various failure modes on hardware.
• Document analysis results and structural rationale.
• Review stress work of others and develop loads and load cases.

Skills

Structural mechanics fundamentals

Experience with FEA solvers

Scripting/automation tools

Excellent communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Python

MATLAB

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

Reusable systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. Structural analysis is at the heart of making parts, assemblies, and systems last for thousands of uses. As a Structural Analyst at Stoke, you will be responsible for performing comprehensive strength, stability, and lifting analysis of various launch vehicle and engine components. You will work closely with Responsible Engineers (REs) in a truly hardware rich environment to improve the structural integrity of their parts and develop qualification rationale and test plans.

This role presents a unique opportunity to work on aerospace structures across different systems. It is applicable to analysts who specialize in either launch vehicles or propulsion systems or analysts with (or desiring) broad experience across both. As part of a small, well‑supported team, you will have access to the resources you need to get the job done right while simultaneously boosting your skills at a pace that can’t be matched in most other roles.

Responsibilities

• Build analytical models to assess various failure modes on launch vehicle and/or rocket engine hardware
• Document analysis results and structural rationale for components and systems
• Review the stress work of others
• Develop loads and load cases, communicate them to stakeholders, and implement them in analysis as needed
• Identify required structural testing, develop test plans, and participate in validation testing
• Identify shortfalls in material databases and develop test plans to gather required data
• Develop tools and methods to improve speed and consistency of analysis
• Mentor and train other engineers in stress analysis techniques
• Plan testing and collect data to validate loads and material allowable assumptions, and use test results to improve analysis models
• Other responsibilities as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field or equivalent experience
• 3‑5 years of experience analyzing launch vehicles, rocket engines, or other transferrable experience
• Solid structural mechanics fundamentals including static, fatigue, and fracture
• Experience with common commercial FEA solvers such as ANSYS or NASTRAN
• Experience with basic scripting or automation tools (Python or MATLAB preferred) for analysis workflow improvement
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative mindset with ability to both contribute ideas and implement team decisions

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related technical field
• Experience with developing structural test plans and material characterization testing
• Experience with both vehicle primary structure and engine components
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers

Benefits

• Equity – We 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)

Compensation

Target Levels:

• Level 2 Range: $109,725 - $148,470
• Level 3 Range: $129,150 - $193,620

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.

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.

Employment Eligibility

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.