Staff Avionics Engineer

Inversion; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion, an aerospace company, is seeking a Staff Avionics Engineer to architect and implement core compute elements for Arc-based vehicles. You will design, verify, and qualify flight compute systems and support avionics across the product lifecycle.

The role requires leading digital/analog/mixed-signal designs, high-reliability hardware, and collaboration with the Avionics team under the Director of Engineering, Avionics. In-person work at Playa Vista, CA is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in design, build, and test cycles for satellite/spacecraft compute electronics.
• Experience in mixed signal and digital circuit simulations.
• Experience designing PCBs using Altium Designer or equivalent ECAD software.
• Experience with mixed-signal PCBs and digital interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI, CAN, PCIe, Ethernet, Spacewire).
• Experience with high-reliability, space-grade electronics and test methods.

Responsibilities

• Test, qualification, and integration of spacecraft hardware for Arc.
• Lead clean-sheet design and analyses from component design through testing.
• Develop and own digital, analog, and mixed-signal avionics designs and rugged assemblies.
• Qualify designs through environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal, vacuum).
• Lead trade studies to shape architecture and design.
• Assist in architecting flight software.

Skills

Mixed-signal circuit design

PCB design (Altium)

FPGAs/advanced microprocessors

Signal integrity analysis

High-reliability electronics

Laboratory instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

HyperLynx

ECAD tools

Spacewire

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 Staff Avionics Engineer, you will be personally responsible for the architecture and implementation of the core compute elements for Inversion’s next-generation vehicles. Aspects of this work will include system design, interface definition, component selection, high reliability strategy, circuit implementation, and testing/verification of the flight computer and other compute systems and platforms. You will be a key member of the Avionics team, reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, Avionics.

Key Responsibilities:

Our engineers are responsible for the complete lifecycle of the hardware they create, including development, testing, and support.

• Testing, qualification, and integration of spacecraft hardware for our upcoming spacecraft, Arc.
• Create and lead clean sheet design and analyses of flight hardware from component design through integration and testing.
• Develop, lead, and own digital, analog, and mixed-signal circuit avionic designs, and rugged electronic hardware assemblies throughout the product life cycle.
• Qualify your designs through environmental testing including vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum testing.
• Will lead and present on trade studies to shape the architecture and design.
• Assist in architecting flight software.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience of the design, build, and test cycle for satellite, spacecraft, or launch vehicle compute electronics.
• Execute thorough mixed signal and digital circuit simulations.
• Experience designing PCBAs using Altium Designer or other equivalent ECAD design software.
• Experience implementing mixed-signal PCBs with digital communications (UART, I2C, SPI, RS422, RS485, CAN, PCIe, Ethernet, Spacewire, PCIe, etc.).
• Experience implementing advanced microprocessors/FPGAs and support structures, including DRAM, power distribution, clock generators, NAND flash, DDR, and other peripherals.
• Design, route, and analyze high-speed signals on printed circuit boards with experience using Hyperlynx (or equivalent) signal integrity analysis software, ensuring compliance with industry standards and performance specifications.
• Experience designing fault-tolerant and failover-capable electronics.
• Strong understanding and experience with requirements, systems design, and test methods for space, launch, and/or reentry environments including thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation.
• Experience using common laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and data acquisition systems.
• Proven track record of delivering high visibility designs resulting from rigorous methodology.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience designing high-reliability and/or safety-critical systems i.e. for spacecraft or automotive applications.
• Experience designing radiation-hardened or rad-tolerant systems.
• Familiarity with the unique design requirements of long-duration orbital missions.
• Familiarity working with common spacecraft ADCS sensors and propulsion components (star trackers, reaction wheels, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), pressure transducers, solenoid valves, etc.).
• Hands-on vehicle integration and troubleshooting experience.
• Experience with Hyperlynx.
• 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 $XX-XX. 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 (https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

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 (https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa) for further details.