Lead Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer

Portal Space Systems; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Space Systems is seeking a Structural Analysis Engineer to substantiate spacecraft primary and secondary structures using FEM and first-principles calculations. You will lead structural verification, assess stress and buckling, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure integrity throughout development.

You will develop Python-based tools to automate analyses, support qualification activities, and contribute to verification artifacts.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of spacecraft structural analysis experience with primary/secondary structures.
• Proficiency in FEM and hand calculations for stress, deflection, buckling, and margin of safety.

Responsibilities

• Own the structural FEM for primary and secondary spacecraft structures and maintain configuration control.
• Perform stress, deflection, stability, and margin of safety analyses.
• Substantiate metallic and composite structures including strength and buckling assessments.
• Develop and document structural verification approaches and acceptance rationale.
• Support design trades, architecture decisions, and validation of loads paths.

Skills

FEM/FEA

Python

MATLAB

Git

FEMAP/Nastran

First-principles calculations

Education

BS/MS Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens Simcenter 3D

Job description

Portal Space Systems is seeking a Structural Analysis Engineer to substantiate spacecraft primary and secondary structures using FEM and first-principles calculations. You will lead structural verification, assess stress and buckling, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure integrity throughout development.

You will develop Python-based tools to automate analyses, support qualification activities, and contribute to verification artifacts.