Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Reentry)

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

Job summary

Inversion seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Reentry, to own end-to-end manufacturing and integration tasks across multiple vehicle programs. You will bridge design and flight hardware, establishing assembly standards, TPS integration, and tooling strategies while coordinating with the production team to keep builds on schedule.

You’ll mentor junior engineers, handle MRB processes, and ensure adherence to safety and engineering practices on the Playa Vista, CA floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in aerospace manufacturing, hardware integration, or vehicle-level build environments.
• Experience authoring assembly procedures and driving floor execution.
• CAD design of tooling/fixtures and GSE; apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience with structural bonding, composite assembly, or TPS integration.
• Familiarity with MRB, non-conformance tracking, and root-cause analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to work in a fast-paced setting.
• On-site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA; ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing and integration tasks across vehicle programs, bridging design and flight hardware.
• Establish assembly standards and integration workflows for primary structures and TPS.
• Develop and qualify tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE).
• Lead MRB disposition, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with internal teams to schedule parts, bonding, fabrication, and subassembly work.
• Mentor junior engineers to ensure safety and high quality on the vehicle floor.

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing

Structural assembly

TPS integration

Root-cause analysis

MRB familiarity

Technical communication

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD (Siemens NX)

GSE design

GD&T per ASME Y14.5

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 Manufacturing Engineer, Reentry at Inversion, you will report directly to the Director of Mechanical, Reentry. In this role, you will broadly own new product introduction manufacturing and integration engineering tasks across multiple vehicle programs. 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 Inversion’s vehicles are built safely, repeatedly, and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and contribute to various vehicle program assembly and integration processes, with an emphasis on new product introduction and qualification/protoqualification hardware
• 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 internal work resource centers and personnel 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.
• This position is on-site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

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.

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

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