Senior 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

About Portal

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.

About Portal

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.

The Role

The Structural Analysis Engineer is responsible for substantiating spacecraft primary and secondary structures through finite element analysis and first-principles hand calculations. This role owns structural verification activities, including stress, deflection, stability, and margin of safety assessments that support design and qualification decisions. The position works closely with design, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure structural integrity is maintained throughout development.

Primary Responsibilities – Structural Substantiation & Verification

• Own the structural finite element model (FEM) for primary and secondary spacecraft structures and maintain configuration control
• Perform stress, deflection, stability, and margin of safety analyses using FEM and first-principles hand calculations
• Substantiate metallic and composite structures, including strength, stiffness, and buckling assessments
• Develop and document structural verification approaches, assumptions, and acceptance rationale
• Support design trades and architecture decisions through analytical assessment of load paths and structural efficiency
• Partner directly with design engineers to validate and optimize primary and secondary structural designs for strength, stiffness, weight, cost, and manufacturability

Additional Responsibilities – Analysis Automation & Cross-Functional Support

• Develop Python-based tools to automate analysis workflows, post-processing, and margin reporting
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams to resolve structural issues and assess nonconformances
• Support structural qualification and acceptance testing, including pre-test predictions and post-test correlation
• Contribute to structural documentation, analysis reports, and verification artifacts

Basic Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in spacecraft structural analysis, primary structures, or structural substantiation roles
• Experience performing stress, deflection, buckling, and margin of safety assessments using FEM and hand calculations
• Proficiency developing and maintaining structural finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran or Siemens Simcenter 3D
• Experience substantiating metallic and composite spacecraft structures, including load path validation
• Experience owning or supporting structural verification efforts through analysis and test
• Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB for analysis automation, data reduction, and reporting
• Experience using version control systems such as Git in an engineering analysis environment
• BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong ability to perform structural stress analysis and margin of safety calculations for primary and secondary spacecraft structures
• Deep understanding of load paths, structural behavior, and failure modes in metallic and composite structures
• Ability to build, interrogate, and validate finite element models using first-principles reasoning
• Proficiency in developing and applying hand calculations to verify and bound FEM results
• Ability to automate analysis post-processing and verification reporting using Python or MATLAB
• Clear technical communication skills for documenting assumptions, methods, and structural substantiation rationale

ITAR Statement

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.