Careers at Inversionspace

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 the Engineering Manager of Arc Vehicle Software at Inversion, you will report directly to the Chief Engineer of Arc . In this role, you will lead the development, integration, and deployment of the core flight software, ground software, and autonomy modules for our next-generation Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. You will own the end-to-end software release cycle for the vehicle . Key Responsibilities Lead daily operations, scheduling, and tasking for the Arc Software team, managing a team of flight software, ground software, and software test engineers. Own the delivery, integration, and deployment of all flight software and ground control software for the Arc vehicle. Coordinate directly with the centralized Software team to leverage platform-level libraries, ground control frameworks, and software engineering standards. Collaborate with the Reentry and Accurate Landing teams to integrate their respective GNC algorithms into the main flight software loop. Oversee the architecture and implementation of vehicle-level state machines, flight autonomy, fault protection, and system-level telemetry. Manage software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing campaigns, ensuring high software quality through robust test automation. Drive real-time troubleshooting, software debugging, and rapid resolution of issues identified during vehicle assembly, environmental test, and flight operations. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent technical experience. Typically 8+ years of hands-on experience in complex software development, with a focus on embedded C++ and high-reliability systems. Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, managing software release cycles, or managing complex software integration projects. Strong fundamental knowledge of software architecture, embedded L inux, and multi-threaded systems. Deep proficiency in systems programming languages (C / C++ / Rust) in a Linux-based environment. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to bridge hardware-to-software disciplines. 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 Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high-reliability autonomous systems software development. Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test setups, network protocols (CAN, Ethernet, Serial), and telemetry architectures. Experience building and maintaining scalable DevOps, continuous integration, and automated testing (CI/CD) pipelines. Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent 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 $145,000 - $210,000. 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.

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: We are seeking a Director of Engineering, Manufacturing to own all manufacturing at Inversion. This leader will be responsible for the full manufacturing ecosystem across the company — including precision machining, harnessing, mechanical assembly, and parachute systems. You will build and scale a world-class aerospace manufacturing organization that is efficient, cost-effective, quality-driven, and capable of supporting flight hardware at increasing production rates. You will drive operational excellence, production planning, workforce scaling, capital strategy, and process optimization across all manufacturing disciplines. This role reports directly to executive leadership and will be a core member of the company’s technical leadership team. Key Responsibilities: Manufacturing Strategy & Scale Transition programs from development to repeatable production Define make vs. buy strategy across all subsystems Drive capacity planning, rate readiness, and production forecasting Operational Excellence Establish lean manufacturing systems across machining, avionics, harnessing, and parachutes Reduce cycle time, improve yield, and optimize throughput Implement KPIs for safety, quality, cost, and delivery Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions Machine Shop & Fabrication Oversee precision CNC machining operations (5-axis capability) Ensure alignment between manufacturing engineering and shop floor execution Drive programming standards, tooling strategy, and fixture optimization Avionics & Harness Manufacturing Implement scalable harness fabrication processes with strong QA controls Improve repeatability and documentation for flight hardware Parachutes & Soft Goods Manufacturing Develop production and inspection standards for parachute systems Ensure quality and traceability for critical recovery hardware Build scalable soft goods manufacturing capability People & Leadership Build and lead a high-performing manufacturing organization Develop frontline leaders and technical experts Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and urgency Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Flight Operations Infrastructure & Capital Define capital equipment strategy and facility layout Support facility expansion planning Implement MRP/ERP and production tracking systems Required Qualifications: 10+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, including leadership roles Proven experience scaling hardware production from prototype to flight or production rate Deep understanding of machining, assembly, and aerospace quality standards Experience overseeing cross-functional manufacturing disciplines (electrical + mechanical) Strong background in lean manufacturing and process optimization Experience building organizations from the ground up Familiarity with aerospace regulatory and quality frameworks Ability to operate in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. Desired Qualifications: Experience in launch vehicles, spacecraft, re-entry systems, or high-reliability aerospace hardware Experience standing up new manufacturing facilities Advanced engineering degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related field) 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 $175 ,000 - $ 244,000 Pay G rades 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.

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 Flight Software Engineer at Inversion you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and verifying the core flight software that controls the Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. You will own safety-critical software modules end-to-end, including vehicle state machines, flight autonomy, and fault-management logic . Key Responsibilities: Develop, test, and deploy high-reliability, real-time flight software . Design and implement safety-critical state machines, autonomous flight sequencing, and fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) algorithms. Integrate and optimize GNC flight software modules from the Reentry and Accurate Landing teams into the main C++ software loop. Perform low-level driver development and board bring-up on flight hardware, debugging hardware-software interfaces using logic analyzers and oscilloscopes. Lead the development and execution of Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test suites to validate software performance and timing margins. Participate in rigorous code reviews, establish technical coding standards, and mentor junior embedded software developers. Collaborate with systems and avionics engineers to define interface control documents (ICDs), telemetry packets, and communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, Serial). Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science , Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent technical experience. Typically 5+ years of professional experience developing embedded, real-time, or safety-critical software. Strong proficiency systems programming languages (C / C++ / Rust) in a Linux-based development environment. Solid understanding of embedded Linux , deterministic software design, memory management, and multi-threaded architectures. Hands-on experience writing software that directly interfaces with physical hardware via communication protocols (such as CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, or RS-422). Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills with experience presenting technical software designs. Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. Desired Qualifications: Experience developing flight software for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or safety-critical autonomous aerospace platforms. Familiarity with modern software development best practices, including Git, unit-testing frameworks, static analysis, and automated CI/CD pipelines. Familiarity with physical systems modeling, sensor data processing, or GNC algorithms. Prior experience in a fast-paced aerospace startup or small, high-ownership team. 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 $139,000 - $201,000. 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.

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 Flight Software Engineer at Inversion, you will have an instrumental impact on the design, functionality, and performance of our next-generation reentry vehicles. You will own a substantial aspect of the flight software stack that enables our spacecraft to complete its mission of extended operation in space, eventually returning on Earth to be recovered. Your impact will encompass all aspects of fight software, including commanding, telemetry, and implementation of control algorithms running on custom hardware that flies the world’s first reentry vehicle designed for turning space into a viable transportation layer for Earth. Key Responsibilities: Owning critical software components for a new vehicle , from initial concept though design, implementation, testing, and deployment. Writing and testing software for spacecraft, including drivers, networking, fault management, and attitude control interfaces. Assisting in creating and executing tests, including HITL (hardware in the loop) and HOOTL/SITL (software in the loop) testing, integration testing, and unit testing. Assist ing with the growth and development of the software organization, including conducting interviews and mentoring /onboarding other engineers and interns. We’re a mission-driven team passionate about pushing the limits of space exploration. While there may be moments when the excitement calls for extended hours or weekend work, we prioritize creating an environment where our engineers feel inspired, supported, and constantly challenged to grow. Required Qualifications: 5 + years of software development experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Experience working in a systems level language like Rust, C++, or C. Experience working in a Linux development environment. Experience with tools and processes related to software development such as version control, code reviews, issue tracking, and CI/CD environments. An innovative and optimistic approach to your work in a dynamic and uncertain environment. Position may require occasional extended hours and/or weekend work. Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. Desired Qualifications: Experience with safety critical systems or other fault tolerant systems. Familiarity with utilizing Python or similar language for testing and tooling. Hands-on experience developing, testing, and/or operating spacecraft, flight hardware, HITL (hardware-in-the-loop), flat-sats, and avionics systems. Experience collaborating with GNC engineers and developing interfaces to sensors (IMUs, GPSs, Star Trackers, etc.). Experience with networking concepts (TCP, UDP, Ethernet, etc.). Experience with low-level communication protocols (CANbus, UART, I2C, RS422/485, etc.). Familiarity with the Linux kernel and interfacing with it (kernel modules, device trees, etc.). Extra points for embedded Linux experience (Yocto, Build r oot, or similar). Prior experience working in startups and small independent 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 $139,000 - $201,000. 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.

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 Ground Software Engineer at Inversion you will build, integrate, and test the mission control software, real-time telemetry processing pipelines, and data visualization tools required to operate and monitor the Arc vehicle. You will own the development of user interfaces and backend applications u sed in both test and operations. Key Responsibilities: Design, develop, and maintain the backend architectures, telemetry parsers, and command pipelines that support ground operations and flight tests. Build highly reliable, low-latency operator displays and data visualization interfaces used during vehicle testing and missions. Develop, package, and deploy automated software tools to orchestrate and monitor Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) simulation runs. Define and implement communication protocol structures, serialization standards, and data definitions (e.g., JSON, Protobuf, YAML) between flight and ground hardware. Build and maintain high-rate time-series databases and data storage solutions for rapid post-test analysis and archive searching. Integrate ground station software interfaces to manage uplink and downlink RF hardware, tracking antennas, and network routing. Provide direct, real-time software support during integrated vehicle testing, troubleshooting networking or command-and-control drops. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent technical experience. Typically 2+ years of professional experience developing software, with a focus on ground control systems, telemetry pipelines, or distributed systems. Proficiency in Rust a Linux environment. Experience working with network communication protocols (such as TCP, UDP, and WebSockets). Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to coordinate across software and hardware teams. Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. Desired Qualifications: Experience working in full-stack software development. Familiarity with existing aerospace mission control and ground software frameworks (such as COSMOS, Open MCT, Yamcs, or similar). Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and modern DevOps practices (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions). Familiarity with RF communication systems, satellite link characteristics, or digital signal processing. Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent engineering 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 $101,000 - $160,000. 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.