Director of Engineering, Manufacturing Playa Vista, California, United States

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 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, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds. Inherently dual-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 of what’s possible in space-based defense and logistics. Position Overview: We are seeking a Director of Engineering, Manufacturing to own all manufacturing at Inversion. This leader will be responsible for the full manufacturing ecosystem across the company — including precision machining, harnessing, mechanical assembly, and parachute systems. You will build and scale a world-class aerospace manufacturing organization that is efficient, cost-effective, quality-driven, and capable of supporting flight hardware at increasing production rates. You will drive operational excellence, production planning, workforce scaling, capital strategy, and process optimization across all manufacturing disciplines. This role reports directly to executive leadership and will be a core member of the company’s technical leadership team. Key Responsibilities: Manufacturing Strategy & Scale Transition programs from development to repeatable production Define make vs. buy strategy across all subsystems Drive capacity planning, rate readiness, and production forecasting Operational Excellence Establish lean manufacturing systems across machining, avionics, harnessing, and parachutes Reduce cycle time, improve yield, and optimize throughput Implement KPIs for safety, quality, cost, and delivery Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions Machine Shop & Fabrication Oversee precision CNC machining operations (5-axis capability) Ensure alignment between manufacturing engineering and shop floor execution Drive programming standards, tooling strategy, and fixture optimization Avionics & Harness Manufacturing Implement scalable harness fabrication processes with strong QA controls Improve repeatability and documentation for flight hardware Develop production and inspection standards for parachute systems Ensure quality and traceability for critical recovery hardware Build scalable soft goods manufacturing capability Build and lead a high-performing manufacturing organization Develop frontline leaders and technical experts Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and urgency Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Flight Operations Infrastructure & Capital Define capital equipment strategy and facility layout Support facility expansion planning Implement MRP/ERP and production tracking systems Required Qualifications: 10+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, including leadership roles Proven experience scaling hardware production from prototype to flight or production rate Deep understanding of machining, assembly, and aerospace quality standards Experience overseeing cross-functional manufacturing disciplines (electrical + mechanical) Strong background in lean manufacturing and process optimization Experience building organizations from the ground up Familiarity with aerospace regulatory and quality frameworks Ability to operate in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. Desired Qualifications: Experience in launch vehicles, spacecraft, re‑entry systems, or high‑reliability aerospace hardware Experience standing up new manufacturing facilities Advanced engineering degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related field) The California annual base salary for this role is currently $175,000 - $244,000 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. Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence. 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. 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. Voluntary Self-Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. 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