Engineering Manager, Arc Vehicle Avionics

Inversion; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion is seeking a Manager of Arc Vehicle Avionics in Los Angeles, CA, to lead the avionics suite development for the next-generation Arc re-entry vehicle. Responsibilities include team management, hardware integration, and collaboration on software validation.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with over 8 years of experience in avionics development. A competitive salary, between $148,000 and $203,000, will be offered based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Typically 8+ years of experience in avionics development or aerospace systems.
• Experience managing hardware projects through development and assembly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations and manage the Arc Avionics team.
• Coordinate with centralized Platform Avionics team.
• Oversee design and quality control of avionics hardware.

Skills

Avionics development

Electrical hardware integration

Aerospace systems engineering

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)

RF communications

Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

Who We Are

Inversion builds advanced re‑entry systems to deliver next‑generation capabilities from space. Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low‑Earth Orbit into an on‑demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform — one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach. Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme re‑entry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds. Inherently dual‑use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space‑based defense and logistics.

What You’ll Do

As the Manager of Arc Vehicle Avionics at Inversion, you will report directly to the Chief Engineer of Arc. In this role, you will lead the development, packaging, physical integration, and testing of the avionics suite for our next‑generation Arc hypersonic re‑entry vehicle. You will own the end‑to‑end delivery of the Arc avionics and electrical subsystems for flight operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations, scheduling, and tasking for the Arc Avionics team, including managing a team of Electrical, Harnessing, and Embedded Software Engineers.
• Own the delivery, mechanical packaging, and electrical integration of all avionics hardware on the Arc vehicle.
• Coordinate directly with the centralized Platform Avionics team to integrate core power distribution, flight computers, telemetry, and sensor architectures.
• Oversee the design, routing, fabrication, and quality control of vehicle‑specific electrical harnessing and RF communication systems.
• Collaborate with the Software, Simulation, and Test teams to validate flight software and execute hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) integration testing.
• Manage technical risks, mass/power budgets, and design‑for‑manufacturing trades for all Arc electronics, batteries, and pyrotechnic actuation hardware.
• Drive rapid troubleshooting, failure investigation, and resolution of electrical and RF anomalies during vehicle assembly and environmental testing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
• Typically 8+ years of hands‑on experience in complex avionics development, electrical hardware integration, or aerospace systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams or complex hardware integration projects under constraints.
• Technical depth across multiple avionics domains, including power distribution, RF communications, flight computers, sensor interfacing, and cabling/harnessing.
• Experience managing hardware projects through development, assembly, and environmental qualification (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC).
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high‑reliability tactical aerospace hardware avionics systems.
• Familiarity with battery safety, power distribution architectures, and pyrotechnic trigger systems.
• Experience developing and executing Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) test setups and automated test sequences.
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams.

Location & Salary

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 $148,000 - $203,000. 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.

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