The posting
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
We are seeking a Senior Software Integration & Test Engineer to own the validation of spacecraft software and firmware for the Supernova platform. This role bridges development and test: building HITL environments, writing extensive test code, debugging across subsystems, and integrating vendor baselines into a unified, flight-ready stack. This engineer will be responsible for flight software reliability under mission conditions, contributing both code and integration to the fast, decisive spacecraft deliveries that define Portal’s approach to spaceflight.
Responsibilities
- Develop and own the execution and testing framework for spacecraft software and firmware, including HITL test cases and environments
- Debug and resolve software and firmware issues across avionics and payload systems, driving root-cause resolution with vendors
- Review and guide software architecture (state machines, error handling, ICDs, vendor scopes) to ensure reliability and mission alignment
- Partner with Avionics Engineers to co-develop HITL and ICD infrastructure, enabling automated regression and CI/CD pipelines
- Own software and firmware integration from first power-on to flight-ready, ensuring subsystem bring-up and validation
- Build and expand HITL environments to support edge cases, fault injection, and full mission simulation
- Develop automated frameworks for regression, logging, and fault coverage to drive continuous validation
- Own build, delivery, and versioning pipelines that ensure mission-ready software
Basic Qualifications
- 5 + years of experience developing and testing embedded software or firmware for complex or mission-critical systems, or equivalent lab and project experience
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test environments or embedded system bring-up
- Experience in C/C++ or Python for embedded software development and test automation
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environment with high levels of ownership
- 7+ years of embedded or spacecraft software development and integration experience and/or a Master’s degree with equivalent hands-on depth
- Experience with spacecraft software integration, including avionics, ADCS, power, or payload subsystems
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), embedded Linux, or spacecraft flight software frameworks (e.g., cFS, FreeRTOS, VxWorks)
- Knowledge of common spacecraft communication protocols (e.g., CAN, UART, Ethernet)
- Strong opinions regarding automated test frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and regression testing environments
- Background in fault injection, FDIR concepts, or fault-tolerant software design
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional software validation efforts or mentor junior engineers
Pay Range: $160,000 - $205,000
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, 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.
