Stage Test Operations Manager

Stoke Space; Moses Lake (WA); On-site; USD 129,150 - 193,620; 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

Paid Family/Parental Leave

On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend

Dog-friendly offices

Job summary

Stoke Space, based in Moses Lake, WA, is seeking a Vehicle Test Operations Manager to manage the vehicle test facilities. This role involves overseeing vehicle component testing, ensuring safe and reliable operation, and managing a team. Candidates should have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, alongside significant experience in rocket test operations. The company offers equity options, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment where team members can thrive.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience with rocket test operations, including on-console engineering support.
• 2+ years experience as a team lead or people manager.
• Hands‑on experience building and integrating mechanical and electronic systems.

Responsibilities

• Managing and executing design and build of fluid, mechanical, instrumentation systems for tests.
• Ensuring high uptime and reliability of test stands.
• Performing people management responsibilities such as mentorship and coaching.

Skills

Exceptional command of fundamentals

Team leadership

Writing and operating test procedures

Real-time data analysis

Troubleshooting mechanical fluid components

Excellent written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or similar

Tools

CAD modeling

Automation for ground and vehicle 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.

Reusable systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. A key ingredient to making reusable systems is the ability to test hardware quickly. As the Vehicle Test Operations Manager at our Moses Lake Test Site, you will be responsible for managing the team that builds and operates the vehicle test facilities at the test site. This includes vehicle component testing as well as integrated vehicle testing. You will need to ensure safe and reliable operation while pushing to find ways to move quickly and simplify. You will aid in iterating on vehicle design, providing feedback that will be critical to designing a rocket that can operate at a high cadence. You will work with hardware and software, mechanical systems and electrical systems. You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self‑direct, and learn on the fly.

Minimum Qualifications

• Exceptional command of fundamentals
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or similar
• 5+ years experience with rocket test operations, including on-console engineering support
• 2+ years experience as a team lead or people manager
• Experience designing fluid systems such as: P&ID creation, line sizing and component specification, hazard analysis, CAD modeling
• Hands‑on experience building and integrating mechanical and electronic systems
• Experience writing and operating test procedures
• Experience writing and running automation for ground and vehicle systems
• Experience with high pressure or hazardous environments
• Experience with real‑time and post‑test data analysis
• Detailed knowledge of and experience troubleshooting mechanical fluid components such as: cryogenic and high pressure valves, pressure regulators, pumps, relief valves
• Detailed knowledge of and experience troubleshooting instrumentation such as: pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, silicon diodes, flow meters, high‑speed pressure sensors, accelerometers
• Willing to work outdoors for long periods of time
• Able to stoop, bend, crawl, and lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Passion for building something with high quality, willing to attend work with a positive and humble attitude, and willing to take ownership of large and small tasks to help the team be successful
• Ability to lead and follow
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Willing to relocate to Moses Lake, WA

Responsibilities

• Managing and/or personally executing the design and build of fluid, mechanical, instrumentation, and control systems for various test applications
• Managing and/or personally executing the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of fluid, mechanical, instrumentation, and control systems for various test applications
• Creating sustainable engineering processes
• Managing project schedules
• Managing project budgets
• Ensuring high uptime and reliability of the test stands
• Ensuring safe operation of high pressure, cryogenic, and other hazardous environments
• Performing people management responsibilities such as: regular check‑ins, mentorship and coaching, providing feedback, performance reviews
• As part of a small team, you will also perform everyday tasks to keep the site running (shipping and receiving, administrative tasks, etc.)

Benefits

• Equity – 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

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

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.

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.