Systems - Loads and Dynamics Engineer

At Stoke, we believe that a thriving space economy leads to a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future here on Earth. That is why we are building our fully and rapidly reusable vehicle, Nova. It is designed to fly daily and solve the core challenges of space transportation – it reduces cost, increases availability, and enhances reliability. By radically lowering the cost and increasing the cadence of launch, we’re able to create a truly scalable space industry.

Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and empowered with ownership of their work. If you want to work with some of the most dedicated and talented people on Earth, come join us.

Description

Reusable systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. As a Loads and Dynamics Engineer at Stoke, you will own analytical models and methods for deriving low and high frequency vehicle loads, develop external dynamic forcing functions, and predict vehicle and launch system response. You will support component-, subsystem-, and vehicle-level testing of vibration, acoustic, and shock environments and develop data reduction tools and methods for using test and flight data to validate your environment predictions. You will work closely with the vehicle design, manufacturing, and operations teams through all phases of the product lifecycle. You will seek out state-of-the-art analysis techniques and tools and you will develop company standards for analysis methods. 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

• Build system-level models of launch and reentry vehicles to define internal loads and high frequency dynamic environments

• Derive forcing functions for dynamic load inputs including aeroacoustics, plume acoustics, and engine combustion

• Derive Maximum Predicted Environment (MPE) levels for component test, and support the execution of vibration, shock, and acoustic testing of components and vehicles

• Select and procure instrumentation for measuring high frequency environments during engine testing, stage hot fire, and flight

• Develop tools and methods to validate analytical MPE predictions with test data and ensure component MPE levels are continuously maintained and validated through the vehicle lifecycle

• Coordinate and publish load analysis outputs to hardware REs and accommodate customer feedback and output requests

• Integrate customer payload models and perform Coupled Loads Analysis (CLA)

• Review test and flight data to anchor models, troubleshoot problems, and propose design changes

• Work with a cross-functional team to balance structural loads and dynamic environments with other requirements such as mass, performance, cost, schedule, or reliability

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience working with and analyzing hardware for aerospace or similar environments

• Strong fundamentals in structural static and dynamic analysis, and ability to break down problems to the minimum level of complexity necessary

• Strong fundamentals in signal processing and translation between time and frequency domains

• Strong experience with Finite Element Modeling (FEM) in either ANSYS or NASTRAN

• Experience executing dynamic (transient and random vibration) FEA to generate load outputs

• Experience developing dynamic environments from data reduction and/or analysis

• Excellent written and verbal communication

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

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years experience working with and analyzing hardware for aerospace or similar environments

• Experience with FEM scripting languages such as ANSYS APDL or NASTRAN DMAP

• Experience developing scripting tools to automate analysis and data reduction workflows (Python preferred)

• Experience with turbomachinery and combustion dynamics

• Experience with vibration and shock testing

• Experience with estimating forcing functions from unsteady aerodynamics, buffet, flutter, plume acoustics, pyroshock, or similar dynamic load sources

• Experience with FEM integration using Component Mode Synthesis (e.g., Hurty Craig-Bampton)

• Experience with Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) methods for cavity acoustic predictions

• Proficiency with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software (NX preferred)

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or similar

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: $123,000 - $184,400

• Level 4 Range: $144,100 - $240,100

• Level 5 range: $168,100 - $312,000

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.

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.