Junior Structural & Loads Analysis Engineer

Portal Space Systems; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Space Systems in Bothell, WA is seeking a Junior Structural & Loads Analysis Engineer to build spacecraft structures expertise through hands-on work and structured mentorship.

You will help develop finite element models, execute static and dynamic analyses, and contribute to test readiness of flight hardware with increasing ownership as capability grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering completed by start date.
• Zero to two years of professional engineering experience; new graduates welcome.
• Experience with finite element analysis, structural mechanics, or dynamics.
• Ability to perform organized engineering calculations and clearly communicate findings.
• Familiarity with FEM tools through coursework, internship, or professional work.

Responsibilities

• Support development and verification of spacecraft finite element models.
• Prepare geometry, meshes, material properties, joints, interfaces, boundaries, loads, and input decks.
• Execute static, stress, deflection, modal, frequency-response, random-vibration and other analyses.
• Calculate structural margins of safety and identify load paths and design drivers.
• Process, transform, check, and visualize loads and dynamics data from analyses and tests.
• Generate test predictions and support instrumentation planning for tests.
• Reduce environmental test data and create test-versus-analysis comparisons.
• Support coupled-loads analysis, dynamic response analysis, and trade studies.
• Develop Python or MATLAB scripts to automate repetitive tasks.
• Maintain reproducible models, scripts, datasets, and results with CM practices.
• Prepare calculation notes, technical reports, and verification evidence.
• Collaborate with mechanical design, systems, integration/testing, propulsion, avionics, GNC, and other disciplines.

Skills

Finite element analysis

Structural dynamics

Python / MATLAB

Engineering judgment

Communication of findings

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace / mechanical engineering

Tools

FEM software (e.g., ANSYS, Nastran)

CAD basics

Job description

About Portal

Portal Space Systems is on a mission to expand humanity’s freedom of movement in space. We’re building the spacecraft that makes that mission possible. From our Bothell, WA headquarters, we design vehicles with the maneuverability, resilience, and adaptability needed for the next era of orbital operations. Every system we build is in service of a simple idea: space should be more accessible, responsive, and capable. Joining Portal means stepping into a team that believes in bold engineering, fast iteration, and the power of small groups to change what’s possible. If you want your work to directly shape the future of in-space mobility, join us.

Position Summary

The Junior Structural & Loads Analysis Engineer is an early-career role for a new graduate or engineer with up to two years of experience who wants to build spacecraft structures expertise through meaningful, hands‑on work. Working closely with both the Structural Analysis Lead and the Loads & Dynamics Lead, this engineer will help develop finite element models, execute structural and dynamic analyses, support environmental testing, and turn results into decisions that directly affect flight hardware. The role offers broad exposure to the spacecraft development lifecycle, structured technical mentorship, and progressively greater ownership as capability grows.

What You Will Learn and Contribute

• Build practical expertise in spacecraft structural analysis while working directly with experienced technical leads.
• See analyses progress from early sizing and design trades through detailed design, environmental testing, correlation, and flight readiness.
• Work with real spacecraft hardware, test data, multidisciplinary engineering teams, and configuration-controlled models.
• Take ownership of clearly defined analysis work packages and grow toward increasingly complex technical assignments.
• Develop both deep analytical skills and the judgment needed to become a trusted spacecraft structural analyst.

Responsibilities

• Support the development, update, verification, and configuration control of spacecraft finite element models.
• Prepare geometry, meshes, material properties, joints, interfaces, boundary conditions, loads, and analysis input decks under the guidance of the approving technical lead.
• Execute assigned static, stress, deflection, modal, frequency-response, random-vibration, and other structural or dynamic analyses.
• Calculate structural margins of safety and help identify load paths, sensitivities, model limitations, and design drivers.
• Process, transform, check, and visualize loads and dynamics data from internal analyses, launch-vehicle providers, suppliers, and tests.
• Generate test predictions and support instrumentation planning for vibration, static-load, modal, and other structural test activities.
• Reduce environmental test data and create test-versus-analysis comparisons that support model correlation and verification.
• Support coupled-loads analysis, dynamic response analysis, structural trade studies, and anomaly investigations as experience grows.
• Develop Python or MATLAB scripts that automate repetitive analysis, data-processing, plotting, checking, and reporting tasks.
• Perform model and results quality checks and document assumptions, inputs, configurations, methods, results, and limitations.
• Prepare clear calculation notes, technical reports, review material, and verification evidence.
• Collaborate with mechanical design, systems, integration and test, propulsion, avionics, GNC, and other spacecraft disciplines.
• Maintain reproducible models, scripts, datasets, and results in accordance with program configuration-management practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or a related technical discipline completed by the employment start date.
• Zero to two years of professional engineering experience; recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic, internship, research, project-team, or professional experience with finite element analysis, structural mechanics, or structural dynamics.
• Understanding of fundamental engineering mechanics, including statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and vibration.
• Familiarity with at least one finite element analysis tool through coursework, research, an internship, a student project, or professional work.
• Ability to perform organized engineering calculations, evaluate whether results are physically reasonable, and communicate findings clearly.
• Curiosity, attention to detail, willingness to ask questions, and motivation to develop as a spacecraft structural analyst.
• Coursework or project experience in finite element methods, structural dynamics, vibrations, aerospace structures, composites, or mechanical testing.
• Familiarity with tools such as Nastran, Femap, Patran, ANSYS, Abaqus, HyperMesh, or comparable FEM software.
• Experience using Python or MATLAB for engineering calculations, data processing, plotting, or automation.
• Internship, research, laboratory, Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, robotics, or other hands-on aerospace or mechanical project experience.
• Exposure to modal, sine-vibration, random-vibration, shock, static-load, or structural qualification testing.
• Familiarity with computer-aided design, engineering drawings, materials, fasteners, bonded joints, composites, or spacecraft structures.
• Experience documenting and presenting technical work to peers, faculty, customers, or engineering reviewers.

Role Structure and Growth

• Each assignment will have one clearly designated technical lead responsible for direction and approval, ensuring focused mentorship and clear priorities.
• The engineer will initially own bounded analysis tasks and will take on larger models, more complex load cases, test correlation, and independent technical recommendations as proficiency develops.
• This role is designed to provide experience across both structural analysis and loads and dynamics before supporting longer-term technical specialization.

ITAR Statement

This position may involve access to technical data and defense-related materials controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Eligibility to access ITAR-controlled items requires that candidates be U.S. persons, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other protected individuals as defined by U.S. law. Employment is contingent upon verification of ITAR eligibility and, where applicable, obtaining any required export authorization or license.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.