← Back to Stoke Space
At Stoke Space, employees don’t just solve problems—they reinvent the rules. Take Sarah Chen, a propulsion systems engineer, who led a cross-functional team to redesign a critical valve system after a test failure. Instead of scrapping the project, the team embraced the setback as a learning opportunity, iterating rapidly and ultimately improving efficiency by 30%.
Our teams work in tight-knit, agile squads where orbital mechanics experts, satellite technology specialists, and mission operations engineers collaborate seamlessly. For example, during the development of our reusable upper stage, software and hardware teams held daily "war room" sessions to troubleshoot real-time telemetry issues—leading to a breakthrough in autonomous landing algorithms.
We don’t wait for major milestones to recognize success. Whether it’s a successful hot-fire test, a patent filing, or a team member’s first solo flight simulation, we celebrate with:
- "Launch Parties" (even for small wins)
- Peer-nominated "Innovator of the Month" awards
- Company-wide demo days where teams showcase their work
We know that burnout isn’t an option when you’re revolutionizing space infrastructure. That’s why we offer:
- Hybrid work models (3 days on-site, 2 remote for most roles)
- Unlimited PTO (with a minimum 3-week requirement to ensure rest)
- "No-Meeting Fridays" for deep work and innovation
- Global sync hours to accommodate teams across time zones
Our Seattle HQ isn’t your typical aerospace lab. Designed for collaboration and inspiration, it features:
- Open-concept engineering bays with 3D-printed rocket models on display
- Quiet "mission control" pods for focused analysis
- A "Failure Wall" where teams post lessons learned (because every mistake is a data point)
- On-site machine shops for rapid prototyping
With team members from NASA alumni to international satellite experts, we leverage:
- Asynchronous communication (Slack, Notion, and Loom for updates)
- Quarterly in-person summits for hands-on testing and bonding
- Virtual "Lunch & Learn" sessions where employees share expertise (recent topics: satellite constellations, Earth observation tech, and advanced propulsion)
Our values aren’t just posters—they drive decisions:
1. "Move Fast, But Don’t Break the Rocket" – Speed without recklessness.
2. "No Ego, Just Evidence" – The best idea wins, regardless of title.
3. "Own the Outcome" – Every team member has a stake in mission success.
In rocket engineering, failure is inevitable—but how we respond defines us. Examples:
- After a test anomaly in our propulsion system, we paused all projects for a 48-hour "root cause blitz"—leading to a redesign that cut fuel consumption by 15%.
- Our "Moonshot Fridays" encourage employees to pitch high-risk, high-reward ideas—like our AI-driven orbital debris tracking system, now in development.
- Weekly "Tech Talks" where engineers present cutting-edge research
- Cross-training programs (e.g., mission operations specialists learning spacecraft design)
- "Stoke University"—an internal wiki with lessons from every test, success, and failure
- 40% women in engineering roles (vs. 16% industry average)
- 30% underrepresented minorities in leadership
- Team members from 12 countries, speaking 15+ languages
- "Stoke Women in Aerospace" (SWIA) – A mentorship and advocacy group that hosts panel discussions with female astronauts and engineers.
- "Global Innovation Exchange" – A program pairing U.S. engineers with international partners to co-develop satellite technology solutions.
- Neurodiversity hiring initiatives – Partnering with autism advocacy groups to bring unique problem-solving perspectives into space systems design.
- 2023 "Best Places to Work in Aerospace" (Diversity in Tech Award)
- Launched a paid internship program for HBCU and Hispanic-serving institution students in rocket propulsion and orbital mechanics.
- 50% of 2024 hires came from non-traditional aerospace backgrounds (software, robotics, renewable energy).
- Sponsors of the annual "Space Tech for Climate" hackathon – Where teams develop Earth observation tools to track deforestation and carbon emissions.
- Partners with Girls Who Code to host rocketry workshops for high school students.
- Regular speakers at Space Symposium, SmallSat Conference, and IAC – Sharing insights on reusable propulsion and satellite constellations.
- Committed to 100% carbon-neutral launches by 2027 through biofuel propulsion research.
- Developing "green" satellite deorbiting tech to reduce space debris.
- Solar-powered ground stations for satellite communications.
- "2024 Most Innovative Space Startup" (Fast Company)
- "Top 10 Best Workplaces in Tech" (Built In Seattle)
Stoke Space - Company Culture
Discover the values, culture, and work environment that define Stoke Space's approach to innovation in space.
Stoke Space: A Culture of Innovation, Collaboration, and Impact
At Stoke Space, we’re not just building the future of space exploration—we’re redefining what it means to work in the aerospace industry. Our culture is built on bold innovation, relentless problem-solving, and a shared passion for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From rocket engineering to spacecraft design, every team member plays a critical role in shaping the next era of space systems and propulsion technology.
Here’s what makes our culture unique—and why top talent in aerospace careers chooses to grow with us.
Employee Experiences: Where Challenges Become Breakthroughs
Real Stories of Innovation
At Stoke Space, employees don’t just solve problems—they reinvent the rules. Take Sarah Chen, a propulsion systems engineer, who led a cross-functional team to redesign a critical valve system after a test failure. Instead of scrapping the project, the team embraced the setback as a learning opportunity, iterating rapidly and ultimately improving efficiency by 30%.
> "Failure isn’t the end here—it’s the first step toward a better solution. The freedom to experiment and the trust from leadership to take risks is what makes Stoke different." — Sarah Chen, Propulsion Engineer
Day-to-Day Collaboration
Our teams work in tight-knit, agile squads where orbital mechanics experts, satellite technology specialists, and mission operations engineers collaborate seamlessly. For example, during the development of our reusable upper stage, software and hardware teams held daily "war room" sessions to troubleshoot real-time telemetry issues—leading to a breakthrough in autonomous landing algorithms.
Celebrating Wins (Big and Small)
We don’t wait for major milestones to recognize success. Whether it’s a successful hot-fire test, a patent filing, or a team member’s first solo flight simulation, we celebrate with:
- "Launch Parties" (even for small wins)
- Peer-nominated "Innovator of the Month" awards
- Company-wide demo days where teams showcase their work
Work Environment: Flexibility Meets Mission-Driven Focus
Work-Life Balance & Flexibility
We know that burnout isn’t an option when you’re revolutionizing space infrastructure. That’s why we offer:
- Hybrid work models (3 days on-site, 2 remote for most roles)
- Unlimited PTO (with a minimum 3-week requirement to ensure rest)
- "No-Meeting Fridays" for deep work and innovation
- Global sync hours to accommodate teams across time zones
A Workspace Built for Creativity
Our Seattle HQ isn’t your typical aerospace lab. Designed for collaboration and inspiration, it features:
- Open-concept engineering bays with 3D-printed rocket models on display
- Quiet "mission control" pods for focused analysis
- A "Failure Wall" where teams post lessons learned (because every mistake is a data point)
- On-site machine shops for rapid prototyping
Remote & Global Collaboration
With team members from NASA alumni to international satellite experts, we leverage:
- Asynchronous communication (Slack, Notion, and Loom for updates)
- Quarterly in-person summits for hands-on testing and bonding
- Virtual "Lunch & Learn" sessions where employees share expertise (recent topics: satellite constellations, Earth observation tech, and advanced propulsion)
Values & Innovation: Where Risk-Taking Meets Precision
Core Values in Action
Our values aren’t just posters—they drive decisions:
1. "Move Fast, But Don’t Break the Rocket" – Speed without recklessness.
2. "No Ego, Just Evidence" – The best idea wins, regardless of title.
3. "Own the Outcome" – Every team member has a stake in mission success.
A Culture of Calculated Risk
In rocket engineering, failure is inevitable—but how we respond defines us. Examples:
- After a test anomaly in our propulsion system, we paused all projects for a 48-hour "root cause blitz"—leading to a redesign that cut fuel consumption by 15%.
- Our "Moonshot Fridays" encourage employees to pitch high-risk, high-reward ideas—like our AI-driven orbital debris tracking system, now in development.
Knowledge Sharing & Growth
- Weekly "Tech Talks" where engineers present cutting-edge research
- Cross-training programs (e.g., mission operations specialists learning spacecraft design)
- "Stoke University"—an internal wiki with lessons from every test, success, and failure
Diversity & Inclusion: Building the Future—Together
By the Numbers (2024)
- 40% women in engineering roles (vs. 16% industry average)
- 30% underrepresented minorities in leadership
- Team members from 12 countries, speaking 15+ languages
Inclusion in Action
- "Stoke Women in Aerospace" (SWIA) – A mentorship and advocacy group that hosts panel discussions with female astronauts and engineers.
- "Global Innovation Exchange" – A program pairing U.S. engineers with international partners to co-develop satellite technology solutions.
- Neurodiversity hiring initiatives – Partnering with autism advocacy groups to bring unique problem-solving perspectives into space systems design.
Recent DEI Achievements
- 2023 "Best Places to Work in Aerospace" (Diversity in Tech Award)
- Launched a paid internship program for HBCU and Hispanic-serving institution students in rocket propulsion and orbital mechanics.
- 50% of 2024 hires came from non-traditional aerospace backgrounds (software, robotics, renewable energy).
Community & Impact: Beyond the Launchpad
Industry Leadership & Outreach
- Sponsors of the annual "Space Tech for Climate" hackathon – Where teams develop Earth observation tools to track deforestation and carbon emissions.
- Partners with Girls Who Code to host rocketry workshops for high school students.
- Regular speakers at Space Symposium, SmallSat Conference, and IAC – Sharing insights on reusable propulsion and satellite constellations.
Sustainability in Space
- Committed to 100% carbon-neutral launches by 2027 through biofuel propulsion research.
- Developing "green" satellite deorbiting tech to reduce space debris.
- Solar-powered ground stations for satellite communications.
Recent Recognitions
- "2024 Most Innovative Space Startup" (Fast Company)
- "Top 10 Best Workplaces in Tech" (Built In Seattle)
Join the Mission
At Stoke Space, we’re not just building rockets—we’re building a culture where the impossible becomes routine. If you’re passionate about aerospace careers, cutting-edge propulsion, or redefining space exploration, we want you on our team.
🚀 Explore careers at Stoke Space → Careers at Stoke Space
Ready to launch your career? The future of space starts here. 🌌
