Ground Test Engineer II

Inversionspace; California (MO); On-site; USD 106,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversionspace is seeking a Ground Test Engineer II in California to lead ground test campaigns that validate models and design for reentry systems. The role involves coordinating wind tunnel tests, processing test data, and ensuring safety in operations.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and have over 2 years of hands-on testing experience. The position is located in Playa Vista, CA, requiring in-office presence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of applicable hands-on experience testing hardware systems.
• Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, and post-test data processing.

Responsibilities

• Lead arc jet test campaigns from early planning through execution.
• Coordinate wind tunnel testing with outside facilities and internal teams.
• Develop and own test plans, procedures, instrumentation layouts, and analyses.

Skills

Test planning

Data processing

Instrumentation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

Who We Are:

Inversion builds advanced reentry 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 reentry 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:

Ground test is how Inversion builds confidence in new reentry systems before flight. As a Ground Test Engineer II, you will lead and support critical test campaigns that shape vehicle design, validate models, and retire technical risk. This role will focus on arc jet testing, wind tunnel coordination, post‑test data processing, and a broad range of additional ground test activities for reentry vehicles. In this role, you will:

• Lead arc jet test campaigns from early planning through execution, post‑test inspection, and data review.
• Coordinate wind tunnel testing with outside facilities, vendors, and internal engineering teams.
• Develop and own test plans, procedures, instrumentation layouts, reports, and analyses.
• Process and reduce test data to generate clear technical conclusions and actionable recommendations.
• Support additional ground test activities for reentry vehicles including subsystem, component, and integrated hardware testing.
• Coordinate logistics, schedules, facility interfaces, and hardware readiness for external test campaigns.
• Lead test operations with a high degree of safety, accountability, and responsibility.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of applicable hands‑on experience testing hardware systems.
• Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, and post‑test data processing.
• Experience writing test procedures, reports, and technical documentation.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of operating safely and effectively in fast‑paced test environments.
• Capable of working in a dynamic, fast‑paced startup environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with arc jet, high‑enthalpy, or hypersonic ground test campaigns.
• Experience coordinating or executing wind tunnel tests.
• Experience instrumenting hardware with thermocouples, pressure sensors, strain measurements, or other aerospace test sensors.
• Experience using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for data processing and analysis.
• Experience with aerospace qualification or development testing for flight hardware.

Salary: The California annual base wage for this role is currently $106,000 - $150,000. 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.

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.

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.