Launch Engineer - Vehicle Integration

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 with frequent launch cadence are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. Highly operable, reliable, and robust ground operations are an integral part of a fully reusable launch system. 

As an Integration Engineer for flight vehicles and ground systems for our dedicated launch complex at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, you will be responsible for developing, commissioning, and operating a new launch pad from scratch.  You will be responsible for all phases of the product lifecycle including architecture definition, component selection, design, component procurement, procedures, integration, commissioning, and operations.  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.  You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self-direct, and learn on the fly. 

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain interface requirements and performance requirements for ground support equipment in coordination with the launch vehicle development team.
• Develop, build, test, operate, and maintain ground support equipment including hardware required to integrate, handle, and transport flight vehicles on and within a launch complex.
• Develop, maintain, and execute procedures for flight hardware including launch vehicle checkouts, integration, and processing.
• Develop, build, operate, and maintain supporting launch facilities including integration facilities and payload processing facilities.
• Develop, maintain, and execute procedures for commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, and fluid system operations for ground support equipment and launch facilities.
• Develop and track work orders for launch vehicle integration procedures.
• Provide overall project and people management required to communicate schedule, budget, and overall status with the team.
• Coordinate with multiple departments and disciplines, including headquarters and test, inclusive of software and hardware, to ensure the launch complex is ready to receive, process, and integrate flight hardware.
• Provide engineering oversight for integration activities, including working “hands on hardware” with engineers and technicians
• Support launch operations as necessary on day of launch. Up to and including “on-console” support.
• Continuously improve flight hardware processing with a long-term goal of daily launches.

Qualifications  

• 5+ years of experience in a related role working on launch vehicle processing and/or critical ground support equipment hardware processing in an aerospace or similar high-performance application (oil & gas, heavy equipment, energy systems, etc.)
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of mechanical design and kinematics.
• Proficient with 3D CAD software (Siemens NX preferred)
• Proficient creating and implementing procedures
• Knowledge of the working principles of common mechanism components such as piston actuators, plain and rolling-element bearings, linkage mechanisms, hydraulic pumps, and electric motors
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of fluids design as related to physical vehicle hardware and infrastructure.
• Ability to prioritize and execute
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar field.
• Willing to relocate to Cape Canaveral, FL

Preferred Qualifications  

• 10+ years of experience in a related role engineering, building, and operating launch vehicle and/or ground support equipment in aerospace or similar high-performance application (oil & gas, heavy equipment, energy systems, etc.)
• Experience designing launch vehicle piping layouts, controls and sizing hardware.
• Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710 range requirements as well as DoD explosive siting for launch vehicle programs
• Experience working with 45^th SW, 30^th SW, and/or NASA and other government agencies
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar field

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
• Level 5 Range: $176,505 - $327,810

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 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.

Candidate Rights & Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or participate in the interview process, please contact careers@stokespace.com. 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

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