Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Arc Vehicle)

Kindredventures; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Kindredventures in Playa Vista, CA, is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to oversee the manufacturing engineering processes for an Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. This role involves developing assembly sequences and coordinating with production teams to ensure high-quality builds.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and 5+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, along with strong skills in mechanical integration and tooling design. This position requires on-site work.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing or vehicle-level build environments.
• Experience with structural bonding, composite assembly, and mechanical fastening.
• Familiarity with Material Review Board processes and root-cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Own the manufacturing engineering processes and assembly sequencing.
• Develop, optimize, and own the end-to-end vehicle assembly sequence.
• Mentor junior and mid-level integration and manufacturing engineers.

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing

Structural assembly

Mechanical integration

Tooling design

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD software (Siemens NX or equivalent)

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 Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Arc Vehicle) at Inversion, you will report directly to the Manager of Arc Vehicle Integration & Test. In this role, you will own the manufacturing engineering processes, assembly sequencing, and physical realization of the Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. You will bridge the gap between design and physical flight hardware, establishing the assembly standards and integration workflows for primary structures, mechanism integration, thermal protection systems (TPS), and complex mechanical interfaces. You will work autonomously to solve high‑complexity assembly challenges, mentor junior engineers, and coordinate closely with the centralized production team to ensure the vehicle is built safely, repeatedly, and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and own the end‑to‑end vehicle assembly sequence, integration flow, and build plan for the Arc vehicle.
• Author, review, and approve detailed manufacturing work instructions, structural assembly procedures, and integration checklists.
• Design, procure, and qualify vehicle integration tooling, assembly fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD software.
• Lead the disposition of floor non‑conformances (MRB), perform rigorous root‑cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for structural and mechanical integration issues.
• Coordinate directly with centralized shops to schedule and execute part deliveries, structural bonding, mechanical fabrication, and subassembly integration.
• Establish standard practices for precision mechanical joints, fasteners, adhesives, and critical interface alignments.
• Mentor junior and mid-level integration and manufacturing engineers, ensuring high quality standards and adherence to safety and engineering practices on the vehicle floor.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
• Typically 5+ years of hands‑on experience in aerospace manufacturing, hardware integration, structural assembly, or vehicle‑level build environments.
• Proven experience authoring detailed assembly procedures, managing build configurations, and driving floor execution.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, or GSE in CAD (Siemens NX or equivalent) and applying standard GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Direct experience with structural bonding, composite assembly, mechanical fastening, or thermal protection system (TPS) integration.
• Familiarity with Material Review Board (MRB) processes, non‑conformance tracking, and root‑cause analysis.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Position is on‑site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high‑reliability aerospace hardware assembly.
• Experience with aerospace cleaning, bonding preparations, and cleanroom operations.
• Familiarity with high‑pressure fluid systems, pyrotechnics installation, or flight avionics harnessing integration.
• Familiarity with Thermal Protection System (TPS) manufacturing processes.
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams.

Salary

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $137,000‑$193,000. 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.

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