Mechanism Engineer

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 the Role

To build our spacecraft, we need experienced engineers who can directly own the full product lifecycle of mission-critical space mechanisms. These systems may include electromechanical actuators, hold-down and release mechanisms, separation systems, deployment hinges, dampers, latches, locking devices, and other precision mechanical assemblies. 

As a Mechanisms Engineer, you will own critical spacecraft mechanisms from initial concept through flight qualification and mission operations. You will design systems that deploy, release, position, align, restrain, or separate spacecraft hardware with high accuracy and reliability. 

This is a hands-on hardware development role requiring close collaboration with structures, avionics, guidance, navigation and control, thermal, propulsion, manufacturing, integration, test, systems engineering, and external suppliers. You will be expected to move quickly, make sound engineering decisions, and take full ownership of mechanisms whose successful operation directly affects mission success. 

Responsibilities 

• Own the complete lifecycle of spacecraft mechanisms, from requirements development and interface definition through conceptual design, detailed design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, verification, qualification, and flight support. 

• Establish mechanism architectures that provide accurate positioning, repeatable alignment, controlled motion, positive locking, and reliable operation throughout the mission. 

• Translate spacecraft-level functional requirements into mechanism-level performance requirements, including deployment accuracy, release force, stiffness, torque, preload, backlash, positional tolerance, life, and reliability. 

• Perform kinematic, dynamic, structural, and tolerance analyses to evaluate mechanism performance and support design decisions. 

• Apply first-order hand calculations, empirical methods, and simplified models to evaluate concepts and iterate rapidly. 

• Create detailed component and assembly drawings incorporating appropriate GD&T practices in accordance with ASME Y14.5. 

• Define assembly, alignment, inspection, and verification methods for precision mechanism hardware. 

• Author test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, test reports, and anomaly dispositions. 

• Balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in design decisions. 

• Support spacecraft integration, launch-site activities, mission operations, and the resolution of mechanism-related issues throughout the program lifecycle. 

• Serve as the technical expert and accountable owner for assigned mechanism systems. 

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of Portal’s mechanism-design methods, standards, and best practices. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Three or more 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. 

• Experience with 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. 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Direct experience designing spacecraft hold-down and release mechanisms, separation systems, deployment mechanisms, electromechanical actuators, hinges, dampers, or latching systems. 

• Knowledge of space-compatible lubrication, bearing materials, coatings, contamination control, and tribology. 

• Experience performing kinematic, multibody dynamic, or motion simulations. 

• Experience calculating motor, torque, preload, release, deployment, and functional margins. 

• Experience planning and executing mechanism life-cycle, deployment, thermal-vacuum, vibration, and shock testing. 

• Proficiency with CAD software; Siemens NX experience is strongly preferred. Experience with SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo is also applicable. 

• Proficiency with FEA tools such as Nastran, ANSYS, FEMAP, or Abaqus. 

• Strong understanding and application of drafting standards and GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5. 

• Hands-on experience with mechanism assembly, precision alignment, prototyping, machining, inspection, and hardware troubleshooting. 

• Experience managing aerospace mechanism suppliers and reviewing supplier designs, analyses, manufacturing processes, and test results. 

• Familiarity with mechanism reliability analysis, fault-tree analysis, failure modes and effects analysis, or probabilistic design methods.