Senior Mechanical Engineer

Advanced Reentry Technologies

Who We Are

Inversion is an aerospace and defense company pioneering advanced reentry technology to enable next-generation capabilities from space. By combining high-performance materials, precision aerodynamics, and mission-driven autonomy, Inversion is transforming reentry into an operational capability for an entirely new class of missions.

The company’s highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft, Arc, is designed for rapid global cargo delivery, hypersonic testing, and other national security missions that require precise, controlled flight through the atmosphere. Arc creates an entirely new transportation domain, unlocking unprecedented speed and global reach.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Inversion designs, manufactures, and integrates its spacecraft under one roof, enabling the company to move rapidly from concept to flight. The company is backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, with customers across the U.S. government and commercial space industry.

What You'll Do

As a  S enior  Mechan ical  Engineer  at Inversion, you will  own  cradle to grave  development of mission-critical  hardware  on one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever develope d.  This role spans flight hardware, prototype systems, tooling, and integration support that enables the pro gram to move quickly from concept to build.  You’ll  drive  mechanical  system archi tecture  working closely with cross-functional teams to solve complex packaging and manufacturability problems while driving des igns toward real hardware .

This role demands a  versatile,  hands-on engineer who can fluidly move between high-level system architecture, detailed design work, first-principles analysis, hardware testing, and cross-functional collaboration.  You will be a key member of the  Mechanical  team, reporting to the  Director of Mechanical.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop  flight-critical mecha nical systems, brackets, enclosures, mounts, and mechanisms  from concept through flight qualification

• Lead mechanical design of  subsystem integration and vehicle packaging , ensuring hardware comes together as a high-performing, coh esive system

• Perform  detailed structural and thermal analysis  using FEA and analytical methods to validate designs against hypersonic and spaceflight environments

• Develop and execute comprehensive  test campaigns  including functional testing, environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC, EMI/EMC), life cycle testing, and acceptance testing

• Create detailed  engineering drawings, assembly procedures, interface control documents (ICDs), and design specifications

• Work hands-on with manufacturing and integration teams to  build, troubleshoot, and iterate hardware rapidly

• Drive  design reviews  and present  technical trade studies  to inform architecture and component selection decisions

• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors for custom component procurement, ensuring adherence to schedule and technical requirements

• Support vehicle integration activities and provide technical expertise during assembly, test, and launch operations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering,  a related field,  or equivalent technical experience

• Typically   5 + years of  professional  experience   de veloping hardware  for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications

• Strong mechanical design skills  with  proficiency  in 3D CAD software (NX, CATIA,  Solidworks , or similar)

• Hands-on experience  with structural and thermal analysis  using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or equivalent)

• Demonstrated ability  designing for harsh environments  including vacuum, extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration

• Deep understanding of  mechanical systems including mechanisms, actuators, fasteners, bearings, seals, and material properties

• Familiarity  with  environmental testing   (shock, vibration, TVAC)  and qualification programs for spaceflight hardware

• Proficiency  creating detailed engineering drawings  with GD&T and other technical documentation

• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience

• Demonstrated history of  mechanical design ownership from cradle to grave

• Experience with  spacecraft and aerospace mechanisms  such as deployment systems, control surfaces, separation mechanisms, solar array drives,   gimb a l systems , or cartridge actuated devices

• Familiarity with  propulsion system components  including valves, pressure vessels, feed systems, and fluid interfaces

• Experience supporting  prototype builds and rapid design iteration in a hardware-rich environment

• Prior work in fast-paced startup environments or small multidisciplinary teams

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $137,000 - $193,000.  Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

ITAR Compliance:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR  here .

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.  If you are a US Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Notice   for further details.