Propulsion Engineer (Component Designer)

Posted:
10/8/2024, 1:45:44 PM

Location(s):
Washington, United States ⋅ Kent, Washington, United States

Experience Level(s):
Junior ⋅ Mid Level ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Mechanical Engineering

A thriving economy in space is needed to make life on Earth more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable. Space technology will enable global access to information, solutions to climate change, answers to global food security, products that transform healthcare, clean energy production, and more. Today, rocket launch options are slow, expensive, and unreliable. Stoke is building the world’s most efficient fully and rapidly reusable rocket designed to fly daily that will radically increase access to space and open up the space economy to safeguard our precious home, Earth.  

Description

Fully reusable launch vehicles are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. As a Component Designer (a.k.a. Component Responsible Engineer), you will have extreme ownership over all aspects of various components for Stoke’s Engines. You’ll have the opportunity to drive component level design trades for our engine. You’ll own the component CAD models, procure and build the components, test and qualify the components, support engine build and integration, and support testing to iterate engine components as needed. In this role, you'll develop a deep understanding of the various components that make up Stoke’s engines. You’ll also work on rapidly reusable rocket engines meant to be flown daily. This role is expected to grow over time into higher level Responsible Engineer roles as you increase your skillsets at Stoke.

Responsibilities

  • Own various component designs across Stoke’s engines. Examples may include cryogenic flexible feedlines, heat exchangers, engine gimbals, tubing routing, TVC, pneumatic systems, heat shields, manifolds, panels, mounting structure, engine tooling, thrust structures, test rigs, etc.
  • Create models, drawings, and coordinate manufacturing of various components for the engines team
  • Develop and execute qualification test plans to ensure readiness for flight (vibration, thermal cycle, life cycle, flow testing, etc)
  • Collaborate with Engine Layout, Combustion, Turbomachinery, and Valve RE’s to support their higher level component designs in any way necessary
  • Present and clearly communicate design, analysis, and test results
  • Own root cause investigations and redesigns to improve reliability or manufacturing throughput
  • Track risks and execute appropriate mitigation plans

Qualifications

  • Fundamentals in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, compressible flow, and cryogenics
  • Proficiency with CAD software (NX preferred) and analysis software (ANSYS preferred)
  • Ability to determine appropriate level of work for a problem (from hand calcs to multi-physics finite element solutions) and execute the work accordingly
  • Fundamentals in GD&T, tolerance stackups, and material selections
  • Experience with detailed mechanical design including machined parts, additive parts, weldments, fasteners, seals, and especially assemblies
  • Knowledge of general fabrication methods including CNC milling, turning, EDM, welding, bending, etc.
  • Hands on experience performing fabrication, assembly, and/or testing
  • 1+ years of experience in design, build, and testing of rocket engine systems
  • Ability to lead
  • Ability to follow
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or similar
  • Willing to relocate to Seattle, WA

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance
  • 401(k) match
  • Paid time off
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Equity

Compensation

Target Levels:

  • Level 1 Range: $91,000 - $114,900
  • Level 2 Range: $104,500 - $141,400

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.

 

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.