Staff Special Projects Engineer at Inversion Space

Los Angeles, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, SpaceIndustries

Requirements

10+ years of experience in aerospace engineering, with a focus on system-level vehicle design, analysis, and integration
Demonstrated experience designing and modeling hypersonic, reentry, or launch vehicle systems
Strong foundation in flight dynamics, aerothermodynamics, GNC, and trajectory/performance analysis
Proficiency in CAD and mechanical design for aerospace applications
Proven ability to take an idea from zero to one — designing, prototyping, and validating hardware from scratch
A track record of self-directed, high-ownership work — whether through startups or projects
Deep first-principles reasoning skills; ability to move fluidly between conceptual thinking and detailed engineering
Must be able to work fully onsite and thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguity-rich environment
Desired Qualifications
Prior experience in hypersonics, reentry systems, or rocket vehicle design and development
Familiarity with 6DOF modeling, simulation environments, and control system analysis
Background founding or being an early team member in startup teams where autonomy and execution were critical to success
Experience with multi-disciplinary integration of mechanical, thermal, and aerodynamic systems
Demonstrated ability to rapidly [learn/adapt across domains]

Responsibilities

Partner directly with the CTO to conceive, architect, and develop new hypersonic and reentry vehicle concepts and technologies
Lead the system-level design and performance modeling of advanced flight systems, including trajectory analysis, GNC trade studies, and overall vehicle performance optimization
Create conceptual and detailed CAD models for proposed systems and subsystems as part of early-stage proposals and design efforts
Translate high-level product ideas into executable proposals that win contracts and enable new technology development within Inversion
Build, test, and iterate — from running 6DOF simulations to hands-on prototyping and experimental validation — in a fast, skunkworks-style environment
Operate independently, make hard technical decisions under uncertainty, and drive ideas to reality without waiting for permission or perfect data

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

HypersonicsReentry VehiclesGNCTrajectory AnalysisSystem DesignPerformance ModelingAerospace Engineering

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience is required for the Staff Special Projects Engineer role?

Candidates need 10+ years of experience in aerospace engineering focused on system-level vehicle design, analysis, and integration, plus demonstrated experience designing and modeling hypersonic, reentry, or launch vehicle systems, along with a strong foundation in flight dynamics, aerothermodynamics, GNC, and trajectory/performance analysis.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this role remote or does it require office presence?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What kind of work environment and team culture can I expect?

The Special Projects team is an elite group of highly capable engineering experts operating in a fast, skunkworks-style environment within ambiguity, where individuals work independently, thrive on solving impossible problems, build from nothing, and make decisions without structure or step-by-step direction.

What makes a strong candidate for this Special Projects Engineer position?

Strong candidates thrive in ambiguity without needing structure, large teams, or step-by-step direction, and excel at rapidly gaining depth across unfamiliar interdisciplinary domains while partnering with the CTO to ideate, architect, and deploy new hypersonic and reentry technologies.

Inversion Space

Develops low-cost re-entry vehicles for cargo

About Inversion Space

Inversion Space develops re-entry vehicles that are designed to return cargo and resources from space at a low cost and with high frequency. Their vehicles enable the safe return of various types of cargo from low-earth orbit and beyond, making the process of returning from space as routine as launching into it. This company serves clients in the space exploration and commercial space sectors, generating revenue through service contracts and partnerships with space agencies and private companies. Inversion Space differentiates itself by focusing on the efficiency and reliability of its re-entry solutions, which are essential for the sustainability and growth of space operations.

Torrance, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2021Year Founded

$121.6MTotal Funding

SERIES_ACompany Stage

AerospaceIndustries

51-200Employees

Risks

Competition from SpaceX and Blue Origin may limit market share.

Potential regulatory hurdles could delay operations and increase costs.

Reliance on SpaceX's Transporter-12 mission poses risk if launch issues occur.

Differentiation

Inversion Space focuses on affordable, high cadence re-entry vehicles for cargo return.

The company aims to make space return as common as space launch.

Inversion Space develops in-house technology for re-entry vehicles, enhancing cost efficiency.

Upsides

Inversion raised $44 million to advance re-entry vehicle development.

Awarded $71M by SpaceWERX for next-gen autonomous re-entry vehicles.

Growing demand for re-entry solutions aligns with Inversion's focus on affordable vehicles.

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