Staff Mechanisms Engineer

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 

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

• Typically

  8

  + 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

• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

  , Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience

• Experience 

  with spacecraft and aerospace mechanisms

   such as deployment systems, control surfaces, separation mechanisms, solar array drives,

  gimb

  a

  l 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 $161,000 - $221,000. 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.  

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.