Thermal Test 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.
Position Summary
The Thermal Test Engineer builds and operates the practical capability needed to conduct spacecraft thermal-cycle and thermal-vacuum testing. This is a hands-on role responsible for commissioning and maintaining in-house TVAC capability, designing test setups and ground-support equipment, operating the chamber, and serving as test conductor. The engineer partners closely with Thermal Analysis and Vehicle Test to deliver safe, repeatable tests and complete, trustworthy as-run datasets.
Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and execute component-, subsystem-, and vehicle-level thermal-cycle and TVAC tests.
- Personally operate the TVAC chamber and serve as test conductor during test campaigns.
- Commission, characterize, maintain, and improve in-house thermal-vacuum test capability.
- Develop chamber operating procedures, standard work, readiness checks, contingency procedures, redlines, and operator training.
- Design and implement thermal test setups, including fixtures, harnessing, heater circuits, thermocouple layouts, feedthroughs, chamber interfaces, and required ground-support equipment.
- Install, route, label, calibrate, check out, and document thermocouples, heaters, instrumentation, and data-acquisition channels.
- Define and verify vacuum, shroud, platen, ramp-rate, temperature, dwell, stabilization, and data-recording parameters in coordination with the responsible technical leads.
- Lead chamber and instrumentation readiness activities and contribute the thermal-test content to integrated test plans, procedures, and Test Readiness Reviews.
- Monitor test execution, assess data quality in real time, troubleshoot facility and instrumentation issues, and coordinate anomaly response.
- Deliver validated as-run data, channel maps, calibration records, test logs, configuration records, deviations, and operational reports.
- Provide complete test data and setup documentation to the Thermal Analysis Engineer, who owns thermal model correlation and updated analytical predictions.
- Coordinate personnel, shift coverage, safety controls, facility interfaces, and minor travel to external test locations when required.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 2 + years of experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience commissioning, characterizing, or expanding an aerospace TVAC facility.
- Experience designing thermal fixtures, chamber harnessing, heater-control circuits, feedthrough systems, or custom test GSE.
- Experience testing spacecraft or spaceflight hardware.
- Familiarity with Python or MATLAB for test automation, data reduction, visualization, or channel-health monitoring.
- Experience leading Test Readiness Reviews or coordinating multidisciplinary test teams.
- Working knowledge of thermal-balance testing and the data needed for thermal model correlation.
- Hands-on experience executing aerospace thermal-vacuum or thermal-cycle testing at the component, subsystem, or vehicle level.
- Experience operating a TVAC chamber and supporting or serving in a test-conductor role.
- Experience with thermocouples, heaters, vacuum systems, thermal instrumentation, data-acquisition systems, and test troubleshooting.
- Ability to design and build test setups and ground-support equipment with appropriate engineering documentation and safety controls.
- Experience writing and executing test procedures and maintaining accurate as-run records.
- Willingness to work shifts, nights, or weekends during active test campaigns and travel occasionally.
Work Expectations
- This is an onsite, hands-on test role centered on in-house TVAC capability.
- Shift work, nights, and weekends will periodically be required during test campaigns.
- Minor travel may be required to support testing at external facilities.
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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