Senior Loads & Dynamics Engineer
Portal Space Systems
The Senior Loads & Dynamics Engineer defines and owns spacecraft dynamic environments and structural loads that drive hardware design and verification. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining loads finite element models, performing launch and on-orbit dynamic analyses, and generating verified structural inputs for the program. The position works closely with structures, mechanisms, systems, design and test engineers to ensure analytical predictions align with hardware behavior and test results.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities – Loads & Dynamics Definition
- Own the spacecraft loads finite element model (FEM) and maintain configuration control across design phases
- Define launch, acoustic, random vibration, shock, and transient dynamic environments for flight hardware
- Develop and execute structural dynamics analyses using FEMAP/Nastran or Siemens Simcenter 3D
- Generate load cases, interface loads, and verification-level structural inputs for downstream design & analysis teams
- Perform coupled vibro-acoustic analyses, including explicit use of Wave6 for acoustic modeling
Additional Responsibilities – Analysis Automation & Test Support
- Develop Python-based tools to automate loads processing, spectral analysis, and reporting workflows
- Support dynamic and environmental test campaigns, including pre-test predictions and post-test correlation
- Collaborate with test, systems, and vehicle interface teams to resolve loads and environments discrepancies
- Contribute to documentation of analysis methods, assumptions, and verification rationale
Basic Qualifications
- 2–5 years of experience in spacecraft loads, structural dynamics, or environments engineering
- Proficiency developing and maintaining loads finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran or Siemens Simcenter 3D
- Experience performing random vibration, acoustic, shock, and transient dynamic analyses for aerospace structures
- Working knowledge of spacecraft acoustic analysis methods; experience with Wave6 preferred
- Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB for analysis automation, data processing, and post-processing
- Experience using version control systems such as Git in an engineering or analysis workflow
- BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
Preferred skills & Experience
- Ability to define and interpret spacecraft dynamic environments and translate them into structural design loads
- Strong structural dynamics fundamentals, including modal analysis, frequency-domain methods, and transient response
- Ability to build, debug, and maintain large finite element models with clear assumptions and traceability
- Proficiency in automating analysis workflows, spectral processing, and data reduction using Python or MATLAB
- Ability to correlate analytical predictions with test data and resolve discrepancies using first-principles reasoning
- Clear technical communication skills for documenting methods, assumptions, and results across disciplines
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Portal. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage. Portal is planning to establish future access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks. Employees typically have 2-3 weeks of paid vacation per year plus company holidays.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.