Senior Space Mechanisms Engineer

Portalsystems; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Space Systems is seeking a Sr. Mechanisms Engineer in Bothell, WA to own a critical vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. This hands‑on role involves working with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design, build, and validate integrated systems.

You will apply hand calculations, perform FE analyses, and create detailed drawings with GD&T. The role emphasizes rapid iteration, ownership, and collaboration across teams to ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience designing mechanisms or complex mechanical systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, missile systems, or other high‑reliability aerospace hardware.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex hardware projects from concept through design, manufacturing, integration, and test.
• Working knowledge of launch and space environments, including vibration, shock, vacuum, thermal cycling, and temperature extremes.
• Experience applying engineering analysis to mechanism performance, structural integrity, functional margins, and tolerance management.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete lifecycle of moving mechanical assemblies — from requirements and interface definition through conceptual/detailed design, development, assembly, verification, qualification testing, operation, manufacturing support, and post‑flight analysis
• Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and operational‑life requirements across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments
• Apply first‑order hand calculations and empirical formulas to assess and iterate on designs rapidly
• Build finite element models and perform detailed analysis — including tolerance stack‑ups — to prove designs meet vehicle requirements
• Create detailed component and assembly drawings incorporating GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance stack‑up analysis
• Own the design, development, and implementation of custom tooling in support of programs
• Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns; author test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions; validate predictions with test and flight data
• Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in every design decision
• Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time
• Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing to bring designs to reality, including managing schedule/budget for owned hardware and tracking/dispositioning non‑conformances
• Support launch operations, post‑flight inspection, and refurbishment planning
• Be the reliable expert of your system — from concept to mission control console

Skills

Mechanisms design

Aerospace hardware

Finite element analysis

CAD packages

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

Prototype & machining

System ownership

Launch environment knowledge

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

Creo

Nastran

ANSYS

FEMAP

Abaqus

Job description

Portal Space Systems is seeking a Sr. Mechanisms Engineer in Bothell, WA to own a critical vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. This hands‑on role involves working with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design, build, and validate integrated systems.

You will apply hand calculations, perform FE analyses, and create detailed drawings with GD&T. The role emphasizes rapid iteration, ownership, and collaboration across teams to ensure mission success.