Senior Propulsion Engineer

Description

Reusable systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. Stoke’s Engines Team is developing reusable LNG/LOX full-flow staged combustion first stage engines and a LH2/LOX expander second stage engine for our launch vehicle, Nova. As a Senior Engines Design Engineer, you will have extreme ownership over all aspects of a components design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and validation for an advanced reusable rocket engine (components like thrust chambers, reentry heat shields, injectors, turbomachinery, actuators, ignitors, etc). You will be a key member of engines development team working through all phases of the product lifecycle. You will seek out state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques and tools to solve challenging problems, and you will continuously iterate and improve your designs. You must be ready to stay focused, move fast, self-direct, and learn on the fly.

Responsibilities

• Own various component designs across Stoke’s engines. Examples may include: regeneratively cooled thrust chambers, reentry heat shields, injectors, turbomachinery, actuators, ignitors, cryogenic flexible feedlines, engine layouts, heat exchangers, engine gimbals, thrust structure, 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 (proof, vibration, thermal cycle, life cycle, flow testing, hotfire, etc)
• 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.
• Develop and maintain test requirements and test plans
• Manage project schedules, risk, and budget

Qualifications

• Exceptional command of fundamentals
• Experience with detailed mechanical design including machined parts, additive parts, weldments, fasteners, seals, and translating/rotating assemblies
• Experience in designing, analyzing, and testing rocket engine components; thrust chambers, regenerative cooling channels and heatshields, injectors, turbomachinery, actuators, ignitors, gimbals, feed systems, engine layouts, etc.
• Experience in GD&T, axial/radial tolerance stackups, and material selections
• Experience post-processing test data to evaluate component performance and health
• Proficiency in heat transfer, compressible and incompressible flow, and cryogenics
• Proficiency with CAD tools (Siemens NX preferred)
• 8+ years of experience in design, build, and testing of rocket engine components
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or similar
• Willing to relocate to Seattle, WA

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

Target Levels:

• 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.

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