HR Manager

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 launch systems are the key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. We are a fast-growing company, comprised of exceptional people doing amazing work. As our HR Manager, you'll play a foundational role in supporting our growing team and building people-first programs and processes that scale with us. You'll work across the employee lifecycle to ensure every individual at Stoke feels valued, supported, and set up for success. This is a unique opportunity to make a real impact by helping establish core HR practices and fostering a positive, high-performance culture as we grow. No two days will be alike, as you'll work on a variety of projects and tasks while also providing exceptional support to employees at every level. 

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted partner to employees and managers, fostering a respectful, inclusive, and high-performance culture across the company. 
• Own and manage our HRIS and employee records, ensuring accuracy, data integrity, and full compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations. 
• Partner closely with Recruiting to design and deliver an exceptional new hire orientation and onboarding experience that supports long-term success. 
• Lead day-to-day benefits and compensation administration, proactively communicating offerings and ensuring timely, high-quality employee support. 
• Drive talent development initiatives, including performance review cycles, engagement surveys, and developmental programs that support a growing organization. 
• Oversee and administer leaves of absence, ensuring clear, timely communication with employees and managers throughout the process. 
• Partner with HR and Recruiting Coordinators to manage employment verifications, unemployment claims, workers' compensation claims, and other personnel documentation. 
• Maintain strict confidentiality and governance standards across all systems, processes, and communications. 
• Partner with the Head of HR on employee relations matters, providing sound judgment, thoughtful recommendations, and consistent follow-through. 
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and implement scalable systems. 
• Lead HR projects from planning through execution, collaborating cross-functionally to ensure alignment, momentum, and successful outcomes. 
• Maintain and update company policies, employee handbooks, and internal documentation to ensure compliance and cultural alignment. 
• Support the Recruiting team as needed with coordination, candidate experience, and operational improvements. 
• Take on additional HR responsibilities and initiatives that support company goals during a period of rapid growth and change. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or a related field and 5+ years of HR experience, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience. 
• Previous experience in a startup and/or manufacturing environment strongly preferred. 
• Solid understanding of U.S. and Washington employment law; multi-state experience (e.g., Florida) is a plus. 
• Proven ability to handle complex tasks with discretion, sound judgment, and follow-through. 
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and verbal/written communication. 
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to earn trust and credibility across all levels of the company. 
• Positive, proactive mindset and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and take ownership in a hands-on environment. 
• Experience with HRIS, ATS, and other HR tech platforms. 
• Must be able to work onsite at our Kent, WA facility with occasional travel to Moses Lake, WA, and Cape Canaveral, FL as needed. 

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 2 range: $76,400 - $114,500 
• Level 3 range: $95,500 - $143,200 

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.