Director of Engineering, Manufacturing

Inversion; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

An aerospace technology company in California is seeking a Director of Engineering, Manufacturing. This role involves leading the manufacturing ecosystem, including precision machining and assembly. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of aerospace manufacturing experience and a strong background in lean manufacturing. You will be responsible for building a high-performing organization that supports flight hardware production. This position is based on-site in Playa Vista, CA, with a competitive salary range of $190,000-$260,000.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, including leadership roles.
• Proven experience scaling hardware production from prototype to flight or production rate.
• Familiarity with aerospace regulatory and quality frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Own all manufacturing at the company.
• Build and scale a world-class aerospace manufacturing organization.
• Drive operational excellence and production planning.

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing experience

Lean manufacturing expertise

Cross-functional manufacturing oversight

Machining and assembly knowledge

Process optimization skills

Leadership abilities

Education

Advanced engineering degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing)

Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

We are building highly maneuverable re‑entry vehicles that can loiter in orbit before precision landing back on Earth, ushering in a new era of universal access to the entire globe.

Who We Are

Eras of humanity can often be defined by a dominant transportation mode—horse‑drawn chariots, ocean‑going boats, or aircraft. These were spurred by small groups focused on building technology to achieve faster access to more of the world. We seek to usher in a new era defined by universal access to the whole globe free of borders and a routine way from space to Earth.

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

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)

Compensation

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $190,000‑$260,000. 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, and abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

Location

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

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 U.S. Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Notice for further details.