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Engineering
Bothell, WA
Full-time
Build Specialist
Send your cover letter and resume to info@portalsystems.space with the email subject: Senior Structural Engineer — Spacecraft Systems
Portal is seeking a Build Specialist to own hands-on assembly, integration, and test activities across the Portal spacecraft fleet. This role is central to turning intended designs into flight-capable hardware - spanning spacecraft assembly, harnessing, HITL infrastructure, and development testing of propulsion, avionics, and pressure systems. In an early-stage, highly hands-on environment, the Build Specialist will help establish tools, workflows, and facilities while owning build and test execution that directly determines vehicle readiness and mission success.
Responsibilities
- Own hands-on spacecraft assembly, integration, and rework across avionics, power, propulsion, and pressure systems
- Build and evolve HITL and development test setups, including harnessing, fixtures, breakouts, and support hardware
- Establish and improve build procedures, tooling, and workflows as hardware and facilities mature
- Execute and support development, integration, and acceptance testing, including propulsion and thermal thruster test campaigns
- Work closely with engineers to troubleshoot hardware issues, note necessary fixes, and rapidly iterate designs
- Maintain safe, clean, and flight-ready build and test areas, tooling, and infrastructure
- Take ownership of build quality, workmanship standards, and hardware readiness
Basic Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on experience assembling, wiring, and testing hardware for aerospace, propulsion, robotics, energy, automotive, or other high-reliability systems
- Experience fabricating and modifying harnesses or PCBAs in a prototype or production environment
- Comfortable working from engineering sketches, schematics, and evolving test procedures
- Proven ability to lead self and others in an early-stage, fast-moving technical environment
- Strong sense of ownership for safety, quality, and execution under schedule pressure
Preferred skills & Experience
- J-STD-001 certification (or equivalent aerospace soldering certification)
- Experience helping stand up or scale build, integration, or test facilities
- Experience setting up and running DAQs and test instrumentation for fluids, electrical, or mechanical test systems
- Familiarity with spacecraft avionics, power systems, propulsion hardware, or pressure systems
- Experience writing and refining build and test procedures used by both technicians and engineers
Send your cover letter and resume to careers @portalsystems.space with the email subject: Build Specialist
careers@portalsystems.space