Senior GNC Engineer — Real-Time Hypersonic Reentry Guidance

Inversion; California; On-site; USD 161,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion seeks a Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance) to own the guidance architecture for a high-performance maneuvering reentry vehicle from concept through flight.

You will develop real-time trajectory replanning algorithms and build/validate 3-DOF and 6-DOF simulations, working with GNC, simulation, and mission design teams to ensure vehicle-level performance at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 9+ years of experience developing/testing guidance or GNC algorithms.
• Experience with convex optimization methods for guidance (e.g., successive/convex programming).
• Experience with 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations.
• Strong fundamentals in flight mechanics, optimal control, trajectory optimization.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or C++ for simulation/analysis.

Responsibilities

• Own the guidance architecture for a maneuvering reentry vehicle from concept through flight.
• Develop guidance algorithms that replan trajectories onboard in real time.
• Build and exercise 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations to develop and validate guidance performance.
• Develop plant models of vehicle and subsystem dynamics for design/simulation fidelity.
• Collaborate with GNC, simulation, and mission design teams to close vehicle-level performance.

Skills

Guidance

GNC

Flight dynamics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

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.

Position Overview:

Inversion's lifting-body reentry platform will be a highly maneuverable, highly accurate vehicle that is an industry first — and its guidance system is what makes that maneuverability count. As the Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance), you will be responsible for developing the guidance architecture for a high-performance maneuvering reentry vehicle, delivering high performance in the face of real-time mission updates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the guidance architecture for a maneuvering reentry vehicle from concept through flight.
• Develop guidance algorithms that replan trajectories onboard in response to real-time mission updates.
• Build and exercise 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations to develop, stress, and validate guidance performance.
• Develop plant models of vehicle and subsystem dynamics to support algorithm design and simulation fidelity.
• Work with the broader GNC, simulation, and mission design teams to close vehicle-level performance.
• Mentor engineers across the GNC team

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Typically, 9+ years of applicable experience developing and testing guidance or GNC algorithms and systems.
• Experience with modern convex optimization methods for guidance (e.g., successive convexification / sequential convex programming, lossless convexification).
• Experience developing and exercising 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations.
• Strong fundamentals in flight mechanics, optimal control, and trajectory optimization.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++ for simulation and analysis.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with real-time onboard optimization solvers (e.g., ECOS, CVXGEN, OSQP, or custom solvers) in compute-restricted environments.
• Experience with atmospheric entry guidance methods (e.g., numerical predictor-corrector approaches).
• Experience building plant models of aerospace systems (aerodynamics, propulsion, actuators, sensors).
• Experience with state estimation using limited data (Kalman filtering, sensor fusion).
• Experience building guidance code deployed to real flight hardware.
• Prior experience working in startups and/or 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 $161,000-$221,000. 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. Learn more about the ITAR here .

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.

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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. Do you meet the above criteria? * Select...

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