Staff Mechanisms Engineer at Inversion Space in Playa Vista, CA

Job description

Advanced Reentry Technologies Who We Are: Inversion is an aerospace and defense company pioneering advanced reentry technology to enable next-generation capabilities from space. By combining high-performance materials, precision aerodynamics, and mission-driven autonomy, Inversion is transforming reentry into an operational capability for an entirely new class of missions. The company’s highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft, Arc, is designed for rapid global cargo delivery, hypersonic testing, and other national security missions that require precise, controlled flight through the atmosphere. Arc creates an entirely new transportation domain, unlocking unprecedented speed and global reach. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Inversion designs, manufactures, and integrates its spacecraft under one roof, enabling the company to move rapidly from concept to flight. The company is backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, with customers across the U.S. government and commercial space industry. Position Overview As a Staff Mechanisms Engineer at Inversion, you will own cradle to grave development of mission-critical mechanisms on one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever develope d. You’ll drive mechanical system archi tecture and collaborate with stakeholders across structures, avionics, propulsion, TPS, and GNC to ensure seamless integration o f the mechanical assemblies into our next-generation vehicles. This role demands a 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 own designs from initial concept through qualification and into production. You will be a key member of the Mechanical team, reporting to the Director of Mechanical. Key Responsibilities Design and develop flight-critical mechanisms including actuators, deployment mechanisms, separation systems, and cartridge actuated devices from concept through flight qualification 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 9 + years of professional experience designing , analysising , and testing mechanisms and moving mechanical assemblies (MMA) 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 Experience with environmental testing (shock, vibration, TVAC) and qualification programs for spaceflight hardware Proficiency creating detailed engineering drawings with GD&T and other technical documentation Demonst