Senior Ground Software Engineer

Inversion Space Company; California; On-site; USD 139,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (Ground Software) to architect, build, and deploy software for the command and control of space vehicles. You will collaborate with Flight Software, Avionics, and Simulation teams to deliver robust ground tools and systems.

You’ll own the ground software stack in the first 6–12 months and help mentor engineers, with in-office work at our Playa Vista, CA site and ITAR compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Typically 5+ years of hands-on experience building flight software or ground software.
• Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, computer science, or equivalent experience.
• Strong coding skills in C, C++, Rust, etc. and scripting languages (Python, Bash).
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals and distributed systems concepts (TCP/UDP, client-server).
• Strong familiarity with developing and deploying on Linux.

Responsibilities

• Develop intuitive software that enables real-time operation of space vehicles.
• Design and own command and control systems.
• Assist with growth and development of the software organization, including interviewing and mentoring engineers.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Linux

Networking

Distributed systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics, math, computer science

Tools

React

Angular

Job description

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.

Position Overview:

As a Senior Software Engineer (Ground Software) at Inversion, you will have an instrumental impact on the interface and operation of our next-generation re-entry vehicles. You will architect, build, and deploy software systems essential to the command and control of space vehicles. Working directly with Flight Software, Avionics, and Simulation teams, this role is responsible for delivering reliable, robust tools to direct and monitor vehicles and assets on the ground and in space. The result of this work is essential in enabling the world’s first re-entry vehicle designed for turning space into a transportation layer for Earth. You will be a key member of the Processing Core team, reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, Processing Core.

Key Responsibilities:

This role spans the full lifecycle of ground software, from test infrastructure and simulation through qualification and mission operations:

• Develop intuitive software that enables real-time operation of space vehicles
• Design and own command and control systems
• Assist with the growth and development of the software organization, including conducting interviews and mentoring/onboarding other engineers and interns
• In your first 6-12 months, you will take ownership of the ground software systems stack and deploy your solutions to support live development and space vehicles.

Required Qualifications:

• Typically 5+ years of hands-on experience building flight software or ground software.
• Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, computer science, or equivalent experience.
• Strong coding skills in a systems programing language (C, C++, Rust, etc.) and scripting languages (Python, Bash etc.).
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals and distributed systems concepts, including TCP/UDP, client-server architectures, and networked debugging.
• Strong familiarity with developing and deploying on Linux.
• Experience developing, verifying, and deploying software at scale.
• An innovative and optimistic approach to your work in a dynamic and uncertain environment.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience developing, verifying/qualifying, and deploying mission critical software.
• Familiarity with communications and RF fundamentals such as encoding, modulation, forward error correction, and common aerospace standards.
• Experience building beautiful and intuitive user experiences and interfaces using frameworks like React, Angular, etc.
• 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 $139,000 - 201,000. 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. Learn more about the ITAR here .

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.