Flight-Ready TPS Technician I

Frontdoor Defense; Los Angeles (CA); Hybride; USD 39 000 - 51 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Inversion seeks a TPS Technician I to fabricate, assemble, inspect, and document thermal protection system hardware for the Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. You will work closely with engineers and production teams to turn released TPS designs into flight-ready components, ensuring precision and process discipline.

The role requires hands-on fabrication experience, attention to detail, and the ability to follow detailed procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1+ years hands-on experience in manufacturing, composites, aerospace assembly, automotive bodywork, fabrication, bonding, coatings, or related hardware environment.
• Attention to detail, craftsmanship, and pride in high-quality work.
• Ability to follow detailed work instructions, drawings, inspection requirements, and safety procedures.
• Experience with common hand tools, measuring tools, and shop equipment.
• Ability to perform repetitive, precise manual work while maintaining quality.
• Experience handling adhesives, sealants, coatings, and cleaning materials with PPE.
• Strong organization and documentation discipline.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs unassisted and work in various positions.
• Willingness to work non-standard shifts, overtime, and weekends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Fabricate, assemble, inspect, and document TPS hardware to flight-ready standards.
• Prepare vehicle surfaces and TPS components; perform bonding and assembly operations.
• Support fit checks and inspections; document work per procedures.
• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and production staff to translate designs into hardware.
• Maintain precise workmanship and process discipline in a hands-on role.

Connaissances

Detail-oriented

Manual dexterity

Reading & following instructions

Strong communication

Formation

High school diploma or GED

Outils

Hand tools

Measuring tools

Shop equipment

Description du poste

TPS Technician I

Prepare and assemble TPS hardware to flight-ready status for Arc vehicle

Location: Los Angeles, California

Compensation: $28 - 37 USD / hour

About The Role

TPS Technician I

Playa Vista, California, United States

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 TPS Technician at Inversion, you will support the fabrication, application, assembly, inspection, and repair of thermal protection system (TPS) hardware for the Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. You will work directly with engineers, technicians, and production personnel to turn released TPS designs and processes into flight-ready hardware. This is a hands-on role focused on precise execution, workmanship, and process discipline. You will prepare vehicle surfaces and TPS components, perform bonding and assembly operations, support fit checks and inspections, and document work in accordance with released procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Typically 1+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, composites, aerospace assembly, automotive bodywork, fabrication, bonding, coatings, or a related hardware environment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, strong craftsmanship, and pride in producing high-quality work.
• Ability to follow detailed work instructions, drawings, inspection requirements, and safety procedures.
• Experience using common hand tools, measuring tools, and shop equipment.
• Ability to perform repetitive, precise manual work while maintaining consistent quality.
• Ability to work with adhesives, sealants, coatings, and cleaning materials while following applicable PPE and safety requirements.
• Strong organization and documentation discipline.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. unassisted and work in various positions, including standing, kneeling, bending, crawling, and overhead work.
• Ability to work non-standard shifts, overtime, and weekends as required to support vehicle builds, test campaigns, and flight operations.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with thermal protection systems, high-temperature insulation, ceramic materials, ablative materials, composites, or bonded aerospace structures.
• Experience with aerospace cleaning, surface preparation, masking, bonding, curing, or controlled-material handling.
• Familiarity with work orders, drawings, bills of materials, inventory systems, and configuration-controlled manufacturing environments.
• Experience operating shop equipment such as vacuum systems, ovens, curing equipment, mixers, sanders, cutting tools, or inspection equipment.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality practices, foreign object debris prevention, non-conformance documentation, and traceability requirements.
• Experience supporting spacecraft, launch vehicle, aircraft, UAV, motorsport, or other high-performance hardware builds.
• Prior experience in a fast-paced startup, prototype, R&D, or high-mix/low-volume production environment.
• Ability to provide practical feedback on work instructions, tooling, material handling, and build processes to improve safety, quality, and execution.

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

The California hourly pay for this role is currently $28 - $37. 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. 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.