Senior Mechanical Engineer

Inversion Space Company; California; On-site; USD 137,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion Space Company is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own cradle-to-grave development of mission-critical hardware for advanced reentry vehicles. You will craft architecture, manage packaging, and drive designs toward robust flight hardware with cross-functional collaboration.

You will work hands-on with manufacturing, perform analyses, and lead test campaigns to ensure performance in harsh space environments. Based in Playa Vista, CA, this role requires in-office presence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field.
• Typically 5+ years hardware development experience for aerospace/defense.
• Strong CAD skills with NX/CATIA/SolidWorks.
• FEA/analytical experience with ANSYS/Abaqus/NASTRAN.
• Experience designing for vacuum, extreme temperatures, shock and vibration.
• Proficient in engineering drawings with GD&T and documentation.
• Ability to obtain U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop flight-critical mechanical systems from concept to flight qualification.
• Lead subsystem integration and vehicle packaging for cohesive operation.
• Perform structural and thermal analysis to validate designs in spaceflight environments.
• Plan and execute environmental test campaigns (shock, vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC).
• Create detailed drawings, ICDs, and design specifications.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to build, troubleshoot, and iterate hardware.
• Support vehicle integration during assembly, test, and launch activities.
• Present design trades and lead design reviews with cross-functional teams.

Skills

CAD design

FEA analysis

Harsh environments

Spaceflight hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Abaqus

NASTRAN

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.

What You'll Do

As a S enior Mechan ical Engineer at Inversion, you will own cradle to grave development of mission-critical hardware on one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever develope d. This role spans flight hardware, prototype systems, tooling, and integration support that enables the pro gram to move quickly from concept to build. You’ll drive mechanical system archi tecture working closely with cross-functional teams to solve complex packaging and manufacturability problems while driving des igns toward real hardware .

This role demands a versatile, hands‑on engineer who can fluidly move between high-level system architecture, detailed design work, first-principles analysis, hardware testing, and cross-functional collaboration. You will be a key member of the Mechanical team, reporting to the Director of Mechanical.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop flight‑critical mecha nical systems, brackets, enclosures, mounts, and mechanisms from concept through flight qualification
• Lead mechanical design of subsystem integration and vehicle packaging , ensuring hardware comes together as a high-performing, coh esive system
• Perform detailed structural and thermal analysis using FEA and analytical methods to validate designs against hypersonic and spaceflight environments
• Develop and execute comprehensive test campaigns including functional testing, environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC, EMI/EMC), life cycle testing, and acceptance testing
• Create detailed engineering drawings, assembly procedures, interface control documents (ICDs), and design specifications
• Work hands‑on with manufacturing and integration teams to build, troubleshoot, and iterate hardware rapidly
• Drive design reviews and present technical trade studies to inform architecture and component selection decisions
• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors for custom component procurement, ensuring adherence to schedule and technical requirements
• Support vehicle integration activities and provide technical expertise during assembly, test, and launch operations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent technical experience
• Typically 5 + years of professional experience de veloping hardware for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications
• Strong mechanical design skills with proficiency in 3D CAD software (NX, CATIA, Solidworks , or similar)
• Hands‑on experience with structural and thermal analysis using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated ability designing for harsh environments including vacuum, extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration
• Deep understanding of mechanical systems including mechanisms, actuators, fasteners, bearings, seals, and material properties
• Familiarity with environmental testing (shock, vibration, TVAC) and qualification programs for spaceflight hardware
• Proficiency creating detailed engineering drawings with GD&T and other technical documentation
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated history of mechanical design ownership from cradle to grave
• Experience with spacecraft and aerospace mechanisms such as deployment systems, control surfaces, separation mechanisms, solar array drives, gimb a l systems , or cartridge actuated devices
• Familiarity with propulsion system components including valves, pressure vessels, feed systems, and fluid interfaces
• Experience supporting prototype builds and rapid design iteration in a hardware‑rich environment
• Prior work in fast‑paced startup environments or small multidisciplinary 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 $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. 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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