Staff Vehicle Engineer

Inversion; California (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion is seeking a Staff Vehicle Engineer to lead the development of advanced reentry systems at their Playa Vista, CA office. In this role, you will address interdisciplinary engineering challenges across the Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle, collaborating closely with the Chief Engineer to ensure system integration and performance.

The ideal candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, along with 8+ years of experience in aerospace engineering and a proven ability to solve complex multi-system challenges.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace engineering, focusing on system-level vehicle design.
• Proven track record solving complex multi-system problems.
• Strong foundation in first-principles engineering across multiple domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-subsystem integration across the Arc vehicle.
• Manage system-level trade studies balancing performance metrics.
• Define and enforce interface control documents for subsystems.
• Drive architectural design decisions with the Chief Engineer.
• Conduct root-cause investigations during integration and testing.

Skills

Problem solving

Systems engineering

Aerospace engineering

CAD proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. in related field

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 view space as a platform that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach. Our spacecraft deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. The technology is dual‑use, addressing urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for commercial applications. We are backed by leading investors and partner with the U.S. Space Force and NASA to push the boundaries of space‑based defense and logistics.

As a Staff Vehicle Engineer at Inversion, you will report directly to the Chief Engineer of Arc. You will tackle the most complex, interdisciplinary technical challenges across the entire Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle, ensuring that all subsystems converge into a high‑performance, flight‑ready vehicle across structures, aerothermal, GNC, avionics, and propulsion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cross‑subsystem integration and resolve complex, multi‑disciplinary engineering bottlenecks across the Arc vehicle.
• Own system‑level trade studies balancing mass, power, thermal, aerodynamic, and structural performance.
• Define, manage, and enforce interface control documents (ICDs) and hardware‑to‑hardware interfaces across all vehicle subsystems.
• Own vehicle‑level requirements flow‑down, verification plans, and system‑level validation strategies.
• Partner directly with the Chief Engineer to drive technical reviews and make critical architecture‑level design decisions under uncertainty.
• Develop and maintain the vehicle master mass properties, volume budgets, and performance margins.
• Lead root‑cause investigations for complex, multi‑system technical anomalies during integration and testing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
• Typically 8+ years of experience in aerospace engineering, focusing on system‑level vehicle design, integration, and multidisciplinary analysis.
• Proven track record of solving highly complex multi‑system problems on launch vehicles, spacecraft, hypersonic systems, or reentry vehicles.
• Strong foundation in first‑principles engineering across structural mechanics, thermal, avionics, GNC, or fluid systems.
• Proficiency in CAD and mechanical design for aerospace applications.
• Ability to operate independently and drive technical clarity in highly ambiguous environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Prior experience in hypersonics, high‑speed atmospheric flight, or reentry vehicle systems.

Location & Requirements

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in‑office presence.

Legal & 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., a 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.

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.