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Portal Space Systems is building spacecraft for the next era of orbital operations, focused on expanding humanity's freedom of movement in space. The Senior Materials Technician owns the daily movement, storage, and accountability of Portal's flight hardware, raw materials, tools, equipment, and consumables.
This hands-on role leads receiving, inventory control, kitting, and shipping while establishing practical processes that support a growing spacecraft manufacturer. Working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Engineering, Build, Integration, and Test teams, the technician keeps materials available, traceable, and organized to enable efficient spacecraft production.
Core responsibilities include:
**Receiving and Material Accountability:** Verify incoming deliveries against purchase orders, part numbers, revisions, quantities, and condition. Capture serial numbers, lot numbers, and Certificates of Conformance. Record receipts in Portal's inventory system, label and route material to storage or Quality inspection, and identify shortages, damage, or missing documentation. Coordinate resolution with Procurement and Quality, segregating suspect material pending disposition.
**Inventory Control and Traceability:** Maintain labeled storage locations and accurate records of receipts, issues, transfers, returns, and material status. Lead baseline inventories, physical inventories, and cycle counts. Investigate discrepancies and implement corrective actions. Manage shelf-life controls, stock rotation, and specified storage conditions. Protect hardware through appropriate packaging, electrostatic discharge controls, cleanliness practices, and foreign object debris prevention.
**Kitting and Production Support:** Prepare and verify kits against approved bills of materials and work orders. Coordinate kit readiness with Build and Supply Chain teams. Stage and deliver material to support integration and test schedules. Record material consumption and returns, maintaining separation between flight, development, and nonconforming hardware.
**Shipping and Logistics:** Prepare protective packaging, labels, packing lists, and shipment records for supplier returns, outside processing, intersite transfers, and customer deliveries. Coordinate carrier pickups, tracking, and proof of receipt. Support export-controlled and hazardous shipment documentation.
**Tools, Assets, and Workplace Organization:** Maintain tool and asset identification, checkout records, and return accountability. Own 6S practices in materials areas. Establish labeled racks, bins, staging zones, and visual controls. Help plan storage layouts and site consolidation. Write practical work instructions and train teammates. Track inventory accuracy and recurring discrepancies to guide improvements.
Success means accurate records, dependable material flow, and clean, organized work areas where every item has a designated home.
**Requirements:**
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 5+ years of relevant experience in materials operations, inventory control, shipping and receiving, or manufacturing logistics
- Experience with receiving, kitting, physical inventories, and discrepancy resolution in a manufacturing or technical environment
- Experience using ERP, MRP, or inventory systems and spreadsheets to maintain accurate material transactions and records
- Ability to interpret part identifiers, bills of materials, purchase orders, and work instructions; experience handling serialized or lot-controlled items
- Ability to safely operate material-handling equipment (e.g., forklifts, pallet jacks, hoists) following required training and authorization
- Ability to perform onsite physical duties including standing, lifting, and moving materials
- Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual as defined by U.S. law) due to ITAR eligibility requirements
**Preferred Qualifications:**
- Current or prior forklift operator training and demonstrated hands-on experience
- Experience supporting spacecraft, aerospace, defense, electronics, or other high-reliability manufacturing
- Familiarity with Quality hold controls and audit documentation
- Experience establishing a stockroom, barcode or QR tracking, managing tool accountability, or improving processes using 5S or 6S
- Familiarity with ESD-sensitive hardware, cleanroom material handling, shelf-life-controlled materials, and sensitive equipment packaging
- Experience training others and coordinating freight; relevant dangerous-goods shipping training is a plus
