Senior Satellite Bus Structures Lead

Portal Space Systems; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Space Systems in Bothell, WA is seeking a Senior Satellite Bus Structures Designer to own the spacecraft bus from architecture to flight support.

You will define load paths, interfaces, and mounting, manage the top-level CAD assembly and EBOM, and collaborate closely with structural/thermal analysts, avionics, propulsion, and manufacturing to ensure a robust, mass-efficient vehicle. Expect hands-on hardware development and active mentoring of junior designers.

Qualifications

• Experience designing spacecraft structures or similar high-reliability hardware.
• Ownership of hardware from concept through test and delivery.
• Strong CAD experience with large assemblies and released drawings.
• Knowledge of launch and space environments and GD&T per ASME Y14.5.

Responsibilities

• Own lifecycle of satellite bus structural design from requirements through flight support.
• Define primary/secondary structural architectures and load paths, interfaces, and mounting.
• Maintain authoritative top-level spacecraft CAD assembly and EBOM.
• Translate requirements into structural criteria including mass, envelope, and stiffness.
• Apply first-order calculations and collaborate with analysts for sizing and load paths.
• Create and review parts, drawings, and documentation with GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Balance performance, manufacturability, and cost while driving standard solutions.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to CAD/configuration-management standards.

Skills

CAD ownership

Top-level CAD assembly

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

Structural analysis basics

Mass properties management

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Nastran

ANSYS

FEMAP

Abaqus

Job description

Portal Space Systems in Bothell, WA is seeking a Senior Satellite Bus Structures Designer to own the spacecraft bus from architecture to flight support.

You will define load paths, interfaces, and mounting, manage the top-level CAD assembly and EBOM, and collaborate closely with structural/thermal analysts, avionics, propulsion, and manufacturing to ensure a robust, mass-efficient vehicle. Expect hands-on hardware development and active mentoring of junior designers.