Lead Propulsion Test Engineer — Vacuum Chamber Specialist

Telemetry Today LLC; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Space Systems in Bothell, WA is seeking a Test-focused Propulsion Engineer to lead propulsion test capability, stand up a large vacuum chamber, and define hazardous operations. You will mentor engineers and partner with hardware owners to drive test campaigns from planning through qualification.

This role demands hands-on experience with high pressure, vacuum, ammonia, and high power systems, and a track record of delivering trustworthy data to accelerate hardware decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 6+ years hands‑on propulsion or fluid system hardware testing.
• Experience developing and commissioning test stands or test facilities.
• Experience defining and executing high pressure, vacuum, and hazardous test operations.
• Experience leading test campaigns and mentoring engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead propulsion test planning across thruster, feed system, and pressurant system development, partnering with hardware owners and propulsion leadership on test priorities, schedule, and resourcing.
• Establish and maintain propulsion test standards with the team, including test procedures, hazardous operations practices, test readiness reviews, data quality, and test reporting.
• Mentor fellow Propulsion Engineers in test planning, test execution, and hazardous operations.
• Facilitate test readiness and post-test reviews, helping hardware owners clearly document and communicate results to inform hardware decisions.
• Guide test capability investments across the propulsion roadmap, balancing fast, sufficient capability now against longer-term infrastructure needs.
• Own HEX Thruster test campaigns from test planning and procedure definition through execution, data review, and reporting.
• Stand up and commission a large vacuum chamber facility, bringing up sufficient test capability first and iterating toward the full facility (pumping, feedthroughs, instrumentation, and safety systems).
• Integrate and safely operate the high power optical and induction systems that drive the thruster.
• Define thruster test instrumentation and diagnostics to measure performance (e.g., thrust, propellant flow, temperatures, and pressures).
• Define and execute hazardous operations procedures for ammonia, high pressure, vacuum, and high power systems.

Skills

Propulsion testing

Vacuum systems

Test planning

Data analysis

Team mentoring

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Mechanical/Aerospace

Tools

NI-DAQ hardware

AI-assisted automation

Test automation tools

Job description

Portal Space Systems in Bothell, WA is seeking a Test-focused Propulsion Engineer to lead propulsion test capability, stand up a large vacuum chamber, and define hazardous operations. You will mentor engineers and partner with hardware owners to drive test campaigns from planning through qualification.

This role demands hands-on experience with high pressure, vacuum, ammonia, and high power systems, and a track record of delivering trustworthy data to accelerate hardware decisions.