Human Resources Manager

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 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

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