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.

Position Overview

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Inversion, you will own cradle to grave development of mission-critical hardware on one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever developed. This role spans flight hardware, prototype systems, tooling, and integration support that enables the program to move quickly from concept to build. You’ll drive mechanical system architecture working closely with cross-functional teams to solve complex packaging and manufacturability problems while driving designs 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 mechanical 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, cohesive 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 developing 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