Propulsion Engineer II (Design)

Portal Space Systems; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Vacation (3 weeks)

Holidays (12+)

Sick time

Job summary

Portal Space Systems in Bothell, WA is seeking a Design-focused Propulsion Engineer to advance pressurant, PMD, feed, and RCS hardware. You’ll design, draw, and test hardware with mentorship from senior engineers, engaging suppliers and supporting integration and flight readiness.

You’ll contribute across the hardware lifecycle—from drawings through test, build, and qualification—driving fast, reliable development and hands-on results in a collaborative propulsion team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of mechanical design experience with hardware that has been built and tested.
• Experience creating detailed models and drawings for fabricated hardware.
• Strong ability to communicate design intent and test results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical designs and drawings for propulsion hardware (pressurant, PMD, feed, and RCS).
• Engage with suppliers to move components from specification to delivery.
• Develop test requirements, articles, and success criteria; interpret results for design decisions.
• Execute tests with propulsion engineers; work on test stands and hazardous operations.
• Collaborate on build plans to ensure designs are buildable and correctly implemented.
• Support vehicle integration and functional testing of propulsion hardware.

Skills

Mechanical design

Fluid systems

Structures

First principles reasoning

Hardware lifecycle

Peer review

Communication of designs

Hazardous fluids

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

Teamcenter

GD&T

Job description

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 Design-focused Propulsion Engineer uses their mechanical design skills to advance pressurant system, propellant management device (PMD), feed system, and reaction control system (RCS) flight hardware. With guidance from senior Propulsion Engineers, the role contributes to mechanical design and drawings, supplier engagement, and development, qualification, and acceptance testing, while collaborating on build, vehicle integration, and functional testing. This position works closely with fellow Propulsion Engineers and suppliers to get sufficient hardware built and tested quickly, learn from it, and drive designs from early development through qualified flight hardware.

Core Responsibilities

Flight Hardware Design & Development - Pressurant, PMD, & Feed Systems

• Develop mechanical designs and drawings for propulsion flight hardware (pressurant system, PMD, feed system, and/or RCS) with available mentorship from senior Propulsion Engineers, starting with fast, sufficient development hardware to learn quickly before converging on flight designs
• Engage with suppliers to help bring components from specification through delivery, including interface definition and verification
• Develop test requirements, test articles, and success criteria for assigned hardware, reviewed by senior Propulsion Engineers, and interpret results to inform design decisions
• Execute tests as needed, partnering with fellow Propulsion Engineers on test stands and hazardous operations
• Collaborate on build plans and execution to ensure designs are buildable and built as intended
• Support vehicle integration and functional testing of propulsion hardware

What You Bring To Portal

• Solid foundation in mechanical design, fluid systems, and structures with the ability to apply first principles reasoning and quickly learn unfamiliar hardware, processes, and disciplines
• Ability to perform first-order structural and fluid hand calcs (e.g., stress margins, pressure drop)
• Bias toward fast and sufficient solutions first, getting useful hardware and test data in hand and iterating toward the intended final state rather than aiming for it out of the gate
• Comfort working across the full hardware lifecycle, from drawings and supplier hardware through test, build, and integration.
• Propensity to solicit and provide peer review, clearly and concisely document designs and results, and communicate implications for the associated hardware

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in mechanical design of hardware that has been built and tested (inclusive of student project team leadership)
• Experience creating detailed models and drawings for fabricated hardware
• Experience clearly communicating design intent, test results, and hardware implications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Proficiency with NX and Teamcenter
• Proficiency with GD&T
• Experience with hazardous fluids and pressure systems
• Experience taking hardware through development or qualification testing
• Experience using AI-assisted tools to accelerate design, analysis, or documentation

Pay Range - $100K - $170K

Compensation and Benefits:

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. At Portal, your base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company equity at an exciting time of company growth as well as potential bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage (premiums paid by Portal 100%), access to a 401(k)-retirement plan, paid parental leave, you may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 12 or more paid holidays per year as well as sick time.

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.