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. We are looking for a Software Integration Engineer to be the dedicated software engineer at Moses Lake Test Site (MLTS). You will be the responsible engineer for all software at MLTS; you will work on every hot fire, every vehicle, and whatever else comes through MLTS. This person will own the software configuration running our test stands and make sure it keeps pace with an increasingly aggressive test schedule. When the site needs something from software to move faster, you go build it! This is a rare opportunity to be the software owner at a rocket test site. The software configuration you own is what's commanding the stand when an engine lights.
Vehicle Software (VSW) is responsible for all of the software that runs on Nova, as well as every ground system at Stoke. We run and operate the same software on the launch vehicle and the test stand. Stoke has a unique software stack built on Rust, Python, and NixOS that lets us rapidly iterate and test.
Stoke's plan to fly daily depends on testing at a cadence that manual processes can't support, and the infrastructure and tools you build will directly determine how fast we get there. A large part of this role is to be the strong tie that connects MLTS with our HQ in Kent, WA and Space Launch Complex 14 in Cape Canaveral, FL.
Responsibilities
- Own the software configuration for MLTS test stands and ground systems, ensuring every test runs on a known, verified configuration
- Provide hands-on software support throughout test operations, from pre-test checkouts to occasional on-console support, troubleshooting anomalies in real time and driving them to root cause
- Learn how the test site actually operates, and translate the friction you observe into clear requirements, bug reports, and feature requests for yourself or the broader VSW team
- Represent the site's needs within VSW, making the case for the work that will have the biggest impact on test cadence and reliability
- Turn recurring issues into permanent fixes, whether that means a code change, a new tool, or an improvement to how we deploy and verify software
- Own pieces of the VSW stack, likely centered on the systems we use to prove software is ready before it reaches a stand and the tooling that makes each test day run faster and cleaner, while contributing across the broader stack wherever you're needed
- Make the software approachable for the people who use it most by building tools, runbooks, and documentation that let operators and test engineers resolve issues on their own
Qualifications
- 1+ years of professional, or internship experience in flight software development, ground software, hardware integration, or systems engineering
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- Demonstrated ability to write, debug, and ship software in a systems language, ideally Rust, within a Linux environment
- Proficiency in Python or another scripting language for automation and data tooling
- Experience with Git, configuration management, and deploying and maintaining software on physical systems outside of a controlled development environment
- Networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, subnetting, and troubleshooting device connectivity
- Ability to communicate clearly with engineers and operators who aren't software specialists, and to turn their needs into actionable engineering work
- Willing to work in person at an active test site in Moses Lake, WA, including outdoors and during the extended hours that test campaigns sometimes require
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting live test, launch, or flight operations for aerospace, automotive, energy, or other high-consequence systems
- Experience building test frameworks, CI pipelines, or tooling that made other engineers faster
- Experience with Hardware-in-the-loop systems
- Familiarity with data acquisition (DAQ) systems, instrumentation, PLCs, or hardware communication protocols (CAN, RS422/485, etc.)
- Experience reading P&IDs, electrical schematics, or system diagrams
- Experience with technical project management
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 1 Range: $98,805 - $148,155
- Level 2 Range: $123,480 - $185,220
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. (i.e., current Green Card holder), or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
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, as noted above, 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 [email protected]. 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
Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.
For more information on the right to work, please refer to the poster here.