Aerospace

Equipment Operations Manager

Bothell, WAOnsiteFull TimeManager / Head$135,000–$190,000 /yrPosted 11 days ago

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Required skills

equipment selection
procurement
installation
commissioning
maintenance strategy
contractor management
vendor evaluation
technical bid reviews
delivery schedules
risk escalation

Nice to have

aerospace manufacturing
cleanroom manufacturing
automated assembly systems
robotic work cells
custom fixturing
PLC programming

Role summary

We are seeking an Equipment Operations Manager to oversee the entire lifecycle of industrial equipment in a high-tech satellite manufacturing setting. This role involves selecting, procuring, installing, and commissioning new equipment, ensuring it meets production needs and safety standards. You will manage vendors and contractors, track delivery schedules, and develop long-term maintenance strategies to maximize equipment uptime and performance. Key responsibilities include developing equipment budgets, implementing maintenance plans, troubleshooting issues, and driving continuous improvement projects to enhance reliability and reduce costs. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience in equipment engineering or manufacturing maintenance, strong project management skills, and experience with safety protocols and contractor coordination.

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.

Position Summary

About the Role

We're looking for an Equipment Operations Manager to lead the selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning of industrial equipment in a high-tech satellite manufacturing environment. In this role you will work directly with contractors and internal teams to stand up new capability, ensure equipment is delivered on schedule, and drive reliability once it's in production. You will own equipment operations end-to-end — from evaluating vendor proposals through installation oversight to long-term maintenance strategy.

Key Job Responsibilities

Equipment Selection & Procurement

Evaluate, select, and specify capital equipment to support satellite manufacturing operations, ensuring alignment with production requirements, safety standards, and facility constraints

Develop equipment requirements documents, coordinate vendor evaluations, and lead technical bid reviews

Track equipment delivery schedules, manage vendor milestones, and escalate risks to meet production timelines

Installation & Commissioning

Plan and execute equipment installation projects including site preparation, rigging, utility tie-ins, and commissioning

Work directly with contractors, OEMs, and internal trades to coordinate installation activities with minimal disruption to production

Develop installation schedules, manage contractor scopes of work, and ensure quality and safety standards are met throughout the process

Oversee Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) to validate equipment performance against specifications

Operations & Maintenance

Develop and implement comprehensive maintenance strategies — preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered — to maximize equipment availability and performance

Troubleshoot complex equipment issues and drive root cause analysis to implement sustainable corrective actions

Establish and manage spare parts inventory, maintenance resource allocation, and contractor support plans

Develop and track equipment KPIs including MTTR (Mean Time To Repair), MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)

Project & Stakeholder Management

Create and manage equipment budgets covering capital purchases, installation labor, parts, and ongoing contractor costs

Partner with Production, Facilities, and Engineering teams to align equipment plans with production schedules and facility readiness

Lead equipment improvement projects to enhance reliability, reduce operating costs, and support capacity growth

Ensure compliance with safety protocols, lock-out/tag-out procedures, and all applicable regulatory requirements

Basic Qualifications

5+ years of experience in equipment engineering, capital project execution, or manufacturing maintenance in a high-tech or aerospace production environment

Knowledge of maintenance best practices and industry standards (e.g., TPM, RCM)

Understanding of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic/hydraulic, and control systems as applied to industrial production equipment

Experience managing contractors and coordinating multi-trade installation activities

Experience with safety systems and lock-out/tag-out procedures

Strong project management and planning abilities; proven track record delivering equipment installation projects on time and on budget

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with satellite, aerospace, or cleanroom manufacturing environments

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Effective communication skills across all levels of the organization — from technicians to senior leadership

Familiarity with automated assembly systems, robotic work cells, or custom fixturing

PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar)

Experience with facility utility systems (compressed air, vacuum, process gases, power distribution) as they relate to equipment installation

CMMS/EAM system experience (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo) for maintenance planning and work order management

Metrology equipment experience (CMMs, laser trackers, optical inspection systems)

Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification

Contractor and vendor management experience including RFP development and contract negotiation

Experience with BIM, AutoCAD, or facility layout tools for equipment placement planning

Work Requirements

Ability to access equipment in various positions (climbing, bending, reaching) and respond to emergency maintenance situations

Willingness to work off-shift hours for critical installations or equipment issues

Must be able to wear required PPE

Pay Range: $135K - $190K

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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