Aerospace

Senior Satellite Bus Structures Designer

Bothell, WAOnsiteFull TimeSenior$145,000–$205,000 /yrPosted 1 month ago

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Required skills

satellite bus structure
vehicle-level physical definition
primary structures
secondary structures
top-level CAD assembly
engineering bill of materials
spacecraft physical architecture
load paths
equipment mounting
interfaces

Nice to have

aerospace structures
complex mechanical hardware
launch vehicles
missile systems
high-reliability applications
concept

Role summary

We are seeking experienced Senior Satellite Bus Structures Designers to own the satellite bus structure and vehicle-level physical definition. This role involves defining primary and secondary structures, CAD assemblies, EBOM, and spacecraft physical architecture from concept through flight support. Responsibilities include defining load paths, equipment mounting, interfaces, packaging, and vehicle configuration, while maintaining the digital definition. This hands-on hardware role requires close collaboration with various engineering teams and suppliers. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of experience in spacecraft or aerospace structures design, strong CAD skills (Siemens NX preferred), and a solid understanding of structural design fundamentals and space environments.

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.

To build our spacecraft, we need experienced designers who can own the satellite bus structure and the vehicle-level physical definition that ties every subsystem together. This includes primary and secondary structures, the top-level CAD assembly, the full engineering bill of materials (EBOM), and spacecraft physical architecture.

As a Senior Satellite Bus Structures Designer, you will own the bus structure from initial architecture through detailed design, manufacturing, integration, qualification, and flight support. You will define load paths, equipment mounting, interfaces, packaging, and vehicle configuration while maintaining an accurate top-level digital definition of the satellite.

This is a hands-on hardware development role requiring close collaboration with structural and thermal analysis, avionics, guidance, navigation and control, propulsion, mechanisms, manufacturing, integration, test, systems engineering, and suppliers. You will be expected to move quickly, make sound engineering decisions, and own the physical vehicle configuration as the spacecraft evolves.

Responsibilities

Own the lifecycle of satellite bus structural design, from requirements and interface definition through concept, detailed design, manufacturing, integration, verification, qualification, and flight support.

Define primary and secondary structural architectures and load paths, including panels, decks, frames, brackets, equipment mounts, and major vehicle interfaces.

Own spacecraft physical architecture and packaging, including subsystem placement, volume allocation, access, clearances, keep-outs, assembly sequence, and mechanical interfaces.

Own and maintain the authoritative top-level spacecraft CAD assembly, ensuring subsystem models integrate correctly and represent the intended vehicle configuration.

Own the complete satellite EBOM and keep CAD, PLM, part quantities, revisions, and the released spacecraft configuration aligned.

Translate spacecraft requirements into structural and mechanical design criteria including strength, stiffness, dynamic response, alignment, interface loads, mass, envelope, and dimensional stability.

Apply first-order calculations and simplified models, and work with structural and thermal analysts to size hardware, evaluate joints and load paths, and iterate rapidly.

Create and review detailed parts, assemblies, drawings, and interface documentation using appropriate GD&T practices in accordance with ASME Y14.5.

Maintain vehicle-level mass properties from the CAD configuration, including center-of-mass and inertia tracking as the design matures.

Define assembly, alignment, inspection, and verification methods, and resolve fit, interference, interface, and configuration issues during spacecraft build.

Balance structural performance, mass, manufacturability, assembly simplicity, accessibility, cost, and schedule while driving practical, standardized design solutions.

Serve as technical owner for bus structural design and vehicle physical configuration, mentor junior designers, and help develop Portal's CAD, drawing, structural-design, and configuration-management standards.

Basic Qualifications

Three or more years of professional experience designing spacecraft structures, aerospace structures, or complex mechanical hardware for spacecraft, launch vehicles, missile systems, or other high-reliability applications.

Demonstrated ownership of structural or mechanical hardware from concept through detailed design, manufacturing, integration, and test.

Strong CAD experience with large assemblies and released drawings, including interface management, configuration changes, and engineering bills of materials.

Working knowledge of structural design fundamentals and launch and space environments, including static loads, vibration, shock, vacuum, thermal cycling, and temperature extremes.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience designing spacecraft primary and secondary structures, including panels, decks, frames, brackets, equipment mounts, payload interfaces, or launch-vehicle interfaces.

Experience defining spacecraft physical architecture and integrating propulsion, avionics, mechanisms, thermal hardware, payloads, harnessing, and other subsystems within a constrained vehicle envelope.

High proficiency with CAD software; Siemens NX experience is strongly preferred, especially with complex top-level assemblies and subsystem interfaces.

Experience with Teamcenter or another PLM system for EBOM ownership, revision control, and release workflows.

Proficiency with Nastran, ANSYS, FEMAP, Abaqus, or similar FEA tools and using analysis results to guide design.

Strong understanding of ASME Y14.5 drafting and GD&T, including datum strategies for vehicle and subsystem interfaces.

Knowledge of spacecraft structural materials, manufacturing, and joint design, including metallic, composite, sandwich-panel, bolted, and bonded construction.

Experience managing mass properties, coordinate systems, envelopes, clearances, and interface geometry within CAD.

Experience supporting static, vibration, shock, and fit-check verification or qualification testing.

Hands-on experience with aerospace hardware assembly, alignment, inspection, metrology, machining, and troubleshooting.

Experience developing CAD, drawing, reusable-library, or configuration-management standards.

Pay Range: $145,000 - $205,000

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.

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.

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