Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

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.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Inversion, you will own cradle to grave development of mission-critical hardware on one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever developed. This role spans flight hardware, prototype systems, tooling, and integration support that enables the program to move quickly from concept to build. You'll drive mechanical system architecture working closely with cross-functional teams to solve complex packaging and manufacturability problems while driving designs toward real hardware.

This role demands a versatile, hands-on engineer who can fluidly move between high-level system architecture, detailed design work, first-principles analysis, hardware testing, and cross-functional collaboration. You will be a key member of the Mechanical team, reporting to the Director of Mechanical.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop flight-critical mechanical systems, brackets, enclosures, mounts, and mechanisms from concept through flight qualification
• Lead mechanical design of subsystem integration and vehicle packaging, ensuring hardware comes together as a high-performing, cohesive system
• Perform detailed structural and thermal analysis using FEA and analytical methods to validate designs against hypersonic and spaceflight environments
• Develop and execute comprehensive test campaigns including functional testing, environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC, EMI/EMC), life cycle testing, and acceptance testing
• Create detailed engineering drawings, assembly procedures, interface control documents (ICDs), and design specifications
• Work hands-on with manufacturing and integration teams to build, troubleshoot, and iterate hardware rapidly
• Drive design reviews and present technical trade studies to inform architecture and component selection decisions
• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors for custom component procurement, ensuring adherence to schedule and technical requirements
• Support vehicle integration activities and provide technical expertise during assembly, test, and launch operations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent technical experience
• Typically 5+ years of professional experience developing hardware for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications
• Strong mechanical design skills with proficiency in 3D CAD software (NX, CATIA, Solidworks, or similar)
• Hands-on experience with structural and thermal analysis using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated ability designing for harsh environments including vacuum, extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration
• Deep understanding of mechanical systems including mechanisms, actuators, fasteners, bearings, seals, and material properties
• Familiarity with environmental testing (shock, vibration, TVAC) and qualification programs for spaceflight hardware
• Proficiency creating detailed engineering drawings with GD&T and other technical documentation
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated history of mechanical design ownership from cradle to grave
• Experience with spacecraft and aerospace mechanisms such as deployment systems, control surfaces, separation mechanisms, solar array drives, gimbal systems, or cartridge actuated devices
• Familiarity with propulsion system components including valves, pressure vessels, feed systems, and fluid interfaces
• Experience supporting prototype builds and rapid design iteration in a hardware-rich environment
• Prior work in fast-paced startup environments or small multidisciplinary 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 $137,000 - $193,000. 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. 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.