Senior Test Engineer (Arc Vehicle)

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 Test Engineer (Arc Vehicle) at Inversion, you will report directly to the Manager of Arc Vehicle Integration & Test. In this role, you will own the preparation, execution, and data analysis of vehicle-level qualification and acceptance test campaigns for the Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. This includes environmental testing, including vibration, shock, acoustic, thermal, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing. You will design physical test setups, configure complex data acquisition systems, and lead test execution to ensure our vehicle survives extreme launch and reentry environments. You will work with high autonomy, mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with subsystem owners to verify critical requirements. Key Responsibilities Develop, own, and execute end-to-end environmental qualification and acceptance test campaigns (vibration, shock, acoustic, thermal, and TVAC) for the Arc vehicle. Author, review, and approve detailed vehicle-level test plans, test procedures, and formal test reports. Design and procure test fixtures, structural interface plates, and test ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD software. Configure, calibrate, and operate data acquisition (DAQ) hardware and sensor suites, including accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and strain gauges. Analyze post-test data, perform signal processing, and verify test results against design margins and structural requirements. Lead the troubleshooting of test anomalies, instrumentation dropouts, and hardware failures, performing rigorous root-cause analysis. Mentor junior and mid-level test engineers on instrumentation setup, test standards, and data processing. Coordinate with external test facilities, vendors, and internal schedulers to ensure on-time test execution. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent technical experience. Typically 5+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, or acoustic testing) at the subsystem or vehicle level. Proven experience authoring comprehensive test plans, executing qualification/acceptance testing, and post-processing test data. Direct, hands-on experience with data acquisition systems (DAQ), sensor signal conditioning, and instrumentation setup. Experience designing mechanical test fixtures, interface plates, or test GSE in CAD (Siemens NX or equivalent). Complete understanding of aerospace testing standards. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. This position is on-site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA. Desired Qualifications Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high-reliability tactical hardware qualification campaigns. Familiarity with test automation and data processing script development using Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW. Experience working with external test labs and managing vendor-facing test execution. Prior experience working in startups and/or 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 $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. 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. 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