Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance)

Inversionspace; California (MO); On-site; USD 161,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion seeks a Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance) to lead the guidance architecture for a high-performance maneuvering reentry vehicle. You will develop real-time trajectory updates and run extensive 3‑DOF/6‑DOF simulations to validate performance.

The role requires a strong aerospace background, MATLAB/Python/C++ programming, and the ability to mentor a growing GNC team. On-site work at Playa Vista, CA with ITAR/compliance responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 9+ years in guidance/GNC development and testing.
• Experience with convex optimization methods for guidance.
• Experience with 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations.
• Strong fundamentals in flight mechanics and trajectory optimization.
• Proficient in MATLAB, Python, or C++ for simulation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; startup capable.
• On-site at Inversion HQ, Playa Vista, CA; security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Own the guidance architecture for a maneuvering reentry vehicle from concept through flight.
• Develop guidance algorithms that replan trajectories on real-time updates.
• Build and exercise 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations to test guidance.
• Develop plant models of vehicle and subsystem dynamics for design and fidelity.
• Collaborate with GNC, simulation, and mission design teams to optimize performance.
• Mentor engineers across the GNC team.

Skills

Guidance & GNC

Python

MATLAB

C++

Strong communication

Startup experience

Real-time systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ECOS

CVXGEN

OSQP

Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space.

WhoWe Are:

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:

Inversion's lifting-body reentry platform will be a highly maneuverable, highlyaccuratevehicle that is an industry first — and its guidance system is what makes that maneuverability count. As the Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance), you willbe responsible fordeveloping the guidance architecture for a high-performance maneuvering reentry vehicle, delivering high performance in the face of real-time mission updates. In this role, you will:

• Own the guidance architecture for a maneuvering reentry vehicle from concept through flight
• Develop guidance algorithms that replan trajectories onboard in response to real-time mission updates
• Build and exercise 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations todevelop,stress, andvalidateguidance performance
• Develop plant models of vehicle and subsystem dynamics to support algorithm design and simulation fidelity
• Work with the broader GNC, simulation, and mission design teams to close vehicle‑level performance
• Mentor engineers across the GNC team

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
• Typically, 9+ years of applicable experience developing and testing guidance or GNC algorithms and systems
• Experience with modern convex optimization methods for guidance (e.g., successive convexification / sequential convex programming, lossless convexification)
• Experience developing and exercising 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations
• Strong fundamentals in flight mechanics,optimalcontrol, and trajectory optimization
• Proficiencyin programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++ for simulation and analysis
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Capable of working in a dynamic, fast‑paced startup environment
• 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 or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience with real‑time onboard optimization solvers (e.g., ECOS, CVXGEN, OSQP, or custom solvers) in compute‑restricted environments
• Experience with atmospheric entry guidance methods (e.g., numerical predictor-corrector approaches)
• Experience building plant models of aerospace systems (aerodynamics, propulsion, actuators, sensors)
• Experience with state estimation using limited data (Kalman filtering, sensor fusion)
• Experience building guidance code deployed to real flight hardware
• Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HITL) test experience
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $161,000-$221,000. 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.

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 for further details.