Senior Flight Software Engineer

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

Job summary

Inversion is seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer to impact the design and functionality of next-gen reentry vehicles. You'll own substantial aspects of the flight software, enabling spacecraft missions and ensuring operational excellence.

Your role encompasses the complete software lifecycle, demanding a proven background in software development and experience with systems programming languages. This position is located in California and offers competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Own critical software for spacecraft from concept to deployment.
• Write and test software for spacecraft operations.
• Assist in creating and executing various tests.

Skills

Software development

C++ or Rust

Linux development

Code reviews

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Python

HITL systems

Networking concepts

Communication protocols

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 C B C, 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 a viable transportation layer for Earth.

You will be a key member of the Processing Core team, reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, Processing Core.

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

• 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 work requires onsite presence.

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 (CAN bus, 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

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.

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.

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.