Equipment Operations Manager

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
About the Role
We're looking for an Equipment Operations Manager to lead the selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning of industrial equipment in a high-tech satellite manufacturing environment. In this role you will work directly with contractors and internal teams to stand up new capability, ensure equipment is delivered on schedule, and drive reliability once it's in production. You will own equipment operations end-to-end — from evaluating vendor proposals through installation oversight to long-term maintenance strategy.
Key Job Responsibilities
Equipment Selection & Procurement
Evaluate, select, and specify capital equipment to support satellite manufacturing operations, ensuring alignment with production requirements, safety standards, and facility constraints
Develop equipment requirements documents, coordinate vendor evaluations, and lead technical bid reviews
Track equipment delivery schedules, manage vendor milestones, and escalate risks to meet production timelines
Installation & Commissioning
Plan and execute equipment installation projects including site preparation, rigging, utility tie-ins, and commissioning
Work directly with contractors, OEMs, and internal trades to coordinate installation activities with minimal disruption to production
Develop installation schedules, manage contractor scopes of work, and ensure quality and safety standards are met throughout the process
Oversee Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) to validate equipment performance against specifications
Operations & Maintenance
Develop and implement comprehensive maintenance strategies — preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered — to maximize equipment availability and performance
Troubleshoot complex equipment issues and drive root cause analysis to implement sustainable corrective actions
Establish and manage spare parts inventory, maintenance resource allocation, and contractor support plans
Develop and track equipment KPIs including MTTR (Mean Time To Repair), MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
Project & Stakeholder Management
Create and manage equipment budgets covering capital purchases, installation labor, parts, and ongoing contractor costs
Partner with Production, Facilities, and Engineering teams to align equipment plans with production schedules and facility readiness
Lead equipment improvement projects to enhance reliability, reduce operating costs, and support capacity growth
Ensure compliance with safety protocols, lock-out/tag-out procedures, and all applicable regulatory requirements
Basic Qualifications
5+ years of experience in equipment engineering, capital project execution, or manufacturing maintenance in a high-tech or aerospace production environment
Knowledge of maintenance best practices and industry standards (e.g., TPM, RCM)
Understanding of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic/hydraulic, and control systems as applied to industrial production equipment
Experience managing contractors and coordinating multi-trade installation activities
Experience with safety systems and lock-out/tag-out procedures
Strong project management and planning abilities; proven track record delivering equipment installation projects on time and on budget
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with satellite, aerospace, or cleanroom manufacturing environments
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Effective communication skills across all levels of the organization — from technicians to senior leadership
Familiarity with automated assembly systems, robotic work cells, or custom fixturing
PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar)
Experience with facility utility systems (compressed air, vacuum, process gases, power distribution) as they relate to equipment installation
CMMS/EAM system experience (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo) for maintenance planning and work order management
Metrology equipment experience (CMMs, laser trackers, optical inspection systems)
Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification
Contractor and vendor management experience including RFP development and contract negotiation
Experience with BIM, AutoCAD, or facility layout tools for equipment placement planning
Work Requirements
Ability to access equipment in various positions (climbing, bending, reaching) and respond to emergency maintenance situations
Willingness to work off-shift hours for critical installations or equipment issues
Must be able to wear required PPE
Pay Range: $135K - $190K
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.