Senior Spacecraft Design Engineer

Portal Space Systems is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Design Engineer to lead spacecraft mechanical design and manage our growing design organization. This role is responsible for defining spacecraft structure architecture, developing design processes, and ensuring mission success from concept through launch. The ideal candidate combines deep technical mastery in spacecraft structures with strong organizational leadership and the ability to deliver under ambitious schedules.

The candidate will guide spacecraft and subsystem mechanical design, mentor a talented design team, and drive technical integration across analysis, build, and systems engineering. They will report to the VP of Engineering as the design authority in the Product Realization branch in Engineering. Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for spacecraft and mechanical design across all programs.
• Lead and expand the Design Engineering team, including structural, mechanical, and CAD engineers.
• Define organizational priorities, team growth, and design standards aligned with program and company goals.
• Serve as the primary design authority for spacecraft mechanical systems and interfaces.

Spacecraft Mechanical Design

• Own spacecraft mechanical and structural architecture and load path philosophy for both primary and secondary structures.
• Lead mechanical design from concept through flight qualification, balancing performance, mass, and manufacturability.
• Oversee the design and integration of mechanisms, payload interfaces, separation systems, and bus structural subsystems.
• Partner closely with the Build-Integration-Test team and work with Mission Engineering to validate designs that meet the mission requirements backed by rigorous modeling and simulation.

Design Process & Governance

• Establish and maintain design standards, configuration control, and CAD/PLM workflows (NX / Teamcenter experience required).
• Drive design reviews, documentation standards, and product data traceability across the hardware lifecycle.
• Implement best practices in tolerance analysis, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and design-for-manufacture.
• Ensure design compliance with structural and environmental qualification requirements for spacecraft hardware.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Collaborate with other engineers in the organization to ensure mission & hardware readiness and build efficiency.
• Develop cross-functional processes connecting mechanical design, propulsion, avionics, and electrical integration.
• Interface with suppliers and partners for fabrication and manufacturing of structural components.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing mechanical and structural engineering team.
• Foster a culture of technical rigor, rapid iteration, and accountability.
• Provide direct mentorship to design engineers and technicians on spacecraft development practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• 8+ years of professional experience in spacecraft structural and mechanical design.
• Proven track record owning spacecraft primary and secondary structure designs from concept through launch.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft load paths, margin’s philosophy, and material selection for mass optimization.
• Expert-level proficiency with CAD systems and large assembly management (NX / Teamcenter required).
• Deep knowledge of drafting standards, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Hands-on experience supporting fabrication, assembly, and environmental testing of flight hardware.
• Familiarity with system-level integration between structures, propulsion, and avionics subsystems.
• Effective communicator capable of leading design reviews, presenting trade studies, and collaborating across disciplines.

• Experience leading design efforts for satellites >200 kg class or equivalent spacecraft programs.
• Strong understanding of composite, bonded, and additive manufacturing processes.
• Strong background in design for manufacturability and structural test correlation.
• Familiarity with environmental testing and qualification standards for space applications.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and scale design processes and tools within a startup or growth-phase company.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present design trade studies and decisions to executives, partners, and customers.

Bothell, WA

Full-time