Inversion · 3 months ago
Staff Special Projects Engineer
Playa Vista, California, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
$170K/yr - $200K/yr
10+ years expInversion Space is focused on transforming transportation modes through innovative aerospace technology. The Staff Special Projects Engineer will partner with the CTO to develop advanced hypersonic and reentry vehicle concepts, leading system-level design and performance modeling while navigating ambiguity and driving innovative solutions.
AerospaceSpace TravelTransportation
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
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
Qualification
Required
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
Preferred
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 prototype and test unconventional solutions
Company
Inversion
Inversion builds space capsules to return cargo back to Earth for the commercial, civil, and defense industries.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$54.12MKey Investors
Spark Capital
2024-11-20Series A· $44M
2024-03-01Series Unknown
2022-07-01Seed
Leadership Team
Justin Fiaschetti
CEO & Co-Founder
Austin Briggs
CTO & Co-Founder
Recent News
2025-10-03
Company data provided by crunchbase