Avionics Mechanical Engineering Manager - Kent, Washington

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 transportatio ...

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 launch systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. The Avionics system is the backbone of highly reusable, operable, and reliable space systems. We are seeking an Avionics Mechanical Manager to lead the design and development of mechanical solutions for component packaging and launch vehicle integration of flight avionics hardware for Nova's first and second stages. This is a highly impactful role where you will guide a team of engineers through complex technical challenges, from early conceptual design, through manufacturing, integration, testing, and ultimately through flight operations.  You will seek out state-of-the-art solutions to difficult problems and you will assist in the definition of company standards for avionics development. The qualified candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working hands-on, and consistently applies first-principles and system-level thinking to solve complex challenges.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap for stage avionics mechanical design on current and future vehicles
• Lead the execution of avionics mechanical designs from concept through release, build, testing, and vehicle-level operations
• Hire, grow, and mentor a team of avionics mechanical engineers
• Provide technical coaching in areas such as structures, avionics, thermodynamics, and rocket operations
• Maintain a culture of integrity, reliability, and fast iteration
• Design, analyze, manufacture, and test flight avionics including enclosures and secondary structure
• Lead design reviews both internally and externally
• Drive continuous improvement efforts to increase throughput and reduce cost to meet the launch target

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in design, build, analysis and/or testing of avionics mechanical systems or similar
• 1+ years of experience leading a team of engineers
• Project management experience including developing budgets and schedules, and managing resources
• Proficiency with relevant CAD and analysis tools (NX, ANSYS, Excel, Matlab, or equivalent)
• Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout
• Hands on experience performing fabrication and assembly of components
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A proven ability to mentor and coach
• Mastery of fundamentals
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or similar

Preferred Qualifications

• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience designing electronics component packaging and secondary structure for extreme environments
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication
• Exposure to high volume production designs with a focus on design for manufacturability
• Exposure to designing for high vibration environments
• Ability to perform thermal analysis for avionics components
• Experience with fatigue and thermal testing of electro-mechanical assemblies
• Ability to perform structures hand calculations
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T
• Experience with harness routing
• Rigorous attention to detail

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.

E-Verify

Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.