Senior Flight Software Engineer

Inversionspace; California (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversionspace is looking for a Senior Flight Software Engineer in California. In this role, you will play a key part in the design and functionality of our reentry vehicles.

Your responsibilities will involve owning software components for spacecraft, conducting testing, and mentoring other engineers. The position requires 5+ years of software development experience, proficiency in languages like Rust and C++, and a Bachelor's degree.

The role offers an annual salary between $140,000 - $178,000 and necessitates onsite work at our Playa Vista, CA headquarters.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software development experience.
• Experience with systems level languages such as Rust, C++, or C.
• Experience in a Linux development environment.

Responsibilities

• Own critical software components for a new vehicle from concept to deployment.
• Write and test software for spacecraft including drivers and fault management.
• Conduct tests including hardware-in-the-loop and integration testing.

Skills

Software development experience

Rust, C++, or C

Linux development environment

Version control, code reviews

Innovative and optimistic approach

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Python for testing and tooling

Low-level communication protocols

Networking concepts

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:

As a Senior FlightSoftware 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 to Earth to be recovered. Your impact will encompass all aspects of flight 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 an available transportation layer for Earth. You will be a key member of the Processing Core team, reporting directly to the Director of Engineer, Processing Core.

This role is all‑encompassing and includes the complete lifecycle of the vehicle’s software, including:

• Owning critical software components for a new vehicle, from initial concept through 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
• Assisting 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.
• Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. All jobs require you to work onsite unless otherwise stated in the job description.

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, flat‑sats, and avionics systems
• Experience collaborating with GNC engineers and developing interfaces to sensors (IMUs, GPS, 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, Buildroot, 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 $140,000 - 178,000. 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.

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.