Senior Mechatronics Engineer

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

Job summary

Inversion is turning Space into a transportation layer and seeks a Senior Mechatronics Engineer to scale automated fiber placement for its high-rate production. You will build and refine robotic work cells, EOAT tooling, and control systems for revolutionary thermal protection automation in Playa Vista, CA.

The role requires 5+ years in robotics automation, hands-on machine integration, and proficiency with major robot brands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or related field.
• 5+ years of automation or robotics in manufacturing.
• Experience designing and integrating EOAT tooling.
• Experience programming industrial robots (FANUC, KUKA, ABB, Yaskawa).
• Experience with manufacturing equipment setup, commissioning and handoff.
• Proficiency in PLC/HMI, sensor integration, and 3D CAD.

Responsibilities

• Stand up automated fiber placement capability from requirements to commissioning.
• Design and iterate EOAT for material deposition and handling.
• Create robot cells, layout, safety, and fixturing.
• Develop robot programs and paths including offline planning.
• Integrate controls, sensing, and machine interfaces.
• Collaborate with materials team to translate material behavior to machine params.
• Drive cycle time, reliability, and process capability toward rate production.

Skills

Automation

Robotics

3D CAD

Python

C++

Education

Bachelor's degree (Mech/EE/Mechatronics)

Tools

FANUC

KUKA

ABB

Yaskawa

AFP/ATL tooling

Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

WhoWe 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-demandlogisticsdomain. 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,operatingthrough extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, andoperatingat hypersonic speeds.

Inherentlydual-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 ofwhat'spossible in space-based defense andlogistics.

What You'll Do:

Producing Inversion's thermal protection systems at rate meansusingmachines to do what istraditionallydone by hand. As the Senior Mechatronics Engineer, you will stand up Inversion's automated fiber placement capability and design the custom end-of-armtoolingthat adapts robotic automation to our unique materials and processes. In this role, you will:

• Stand up an automated fiber placement capability, from requirements definition and machine specification through procurement, integration, and commissioning
• Design, build, and iterate custom end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) for material deposition, handling, and processing
• Design and integrate robotic work cells, including robotselection, cell layout, safety systems, and fixturing
• Develop robot programs and deposition paths, including offline programming and path planning for complex tool surfaces
• Integrate controls, sensing, and machine interfaces — PLC/HMI, motion control, and in-process monitoring
• Work closely with materials and process engineers to translate material behavior into machine parameters, and iterate the machinery as the material evolves
• Drive cycle time, reliability, and process capability improvements as the capability matures from first articles toward rate production

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or equivalent experience in a related field
• Typically, 5+ years of experience developing automation or robotics for manufacturing
• Experience designing and integrating custom end-of-arm tooling (EOAT)
• Experience programming and integrating industrial robots (e.g., FANUC, KUKA, ABB, Yaskawa)
• Experience standing up new manufacturing equipment or work cells, including specification, procurement, commissioning, and handoff to production
• Experience with industrial controls, including PLC/HMI development and sensor integration
• Proficiencywith 3D CAD for the design of tooling and automation hardware
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, including prototyping and rapid iteration of new products
• This position is on-site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA.
• Must have the ability to obtain andmaintaina U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
• Experience with automated fiber placement (AFP), automated tape laying (ATL), filament winding, or similar composites automation
• Experience withfiber processes (felting, needling, blind stitching, etc.) that reinforce through thickness strength of 2D materials.
• Experience with offline robot programming and simulation tools (e.g.,RoboDK,Delmia, Process Simulate)
• Experience with machine vision, force/torque sensing, or in-process inspection
• Experience with motion control and servo system design and tuning
• Experience driving cycle time and process capability in a rate production environment
• Proficiencyin programming languages such as Python or C++ for automation tooling and data collection
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams

Our office headquartersis located inPlaya Vista, CA. This position requires in-office presence.

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

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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