Senior TPS Technician
Inversion
$46 - $61 / hour
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Description
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.
Position Overview:
We’re looking for a highly skilled and detail-oriented TPS Technician to support the fabrication, installation, and refurbishment of thermal protection systems across our flight hardware. This role is critical to ensuring the integrity and performance of heat shield systems, including ablative materials and reusable tile-based protection.
You’ll work closely with engineering and integration teams to bring designs to life—owning the hands-on execution of TPS processes in a fast-paced startup environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Fabricate, install, bond, and finish ablative TPS materials on flight hardware
- Install, fit, trim, and repair ceramic and composite TPS tiles
- Perform surface prep including sanding, cleaning, masking, and priming for TPS application
- Execute bonding processes (adhesives, curing cycles, vacuum bagging where applicable)
- Inspect TPS installations for defects, gaps, adhesion issues, and compliance to spec
- Conduct rework and repairs on damaged TPS systems
- Interpret engineering drawings, work instructions, and process specs
- Collaborate with engineering to refine installation processes and improve manufacturability
- Maintain cleanroom or controlled environment standards where required
- Document work performed and track hardware through build processes
Required Qualifications:
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing, composites, or TPS-related work
- Experience working with ablative materials, adhesives, or high-temperature composites
- Familiarity with precision hand tools, measuring equipment, and shop processes
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and work instructions
- Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship mindset
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.
Desired Qualifications:
- Direct experience with thermal protection systems (tiles, blankets, or ablatives)
- Experience with bonding processes, including adhesive selection and cure cycles
- Background in aerospace, defense, or high-performance automotive manufacturing
- Experience working in cleanroom or controlled environments
- Familiarity with NDI/inspection methods for bonded systems
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive manual tasks
- Comfortable working with PPE, respirators, and safety equipment as required
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
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 $46 - $61. 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.
About this role
Inversion is building spacecraft designed to deliver payloads from Low-Earth Orbit anywhere on Earth in under an hour, and they need a Senior TPS Technician to own the hands-on fabrication and installation of the thermal protection systems that make this possible. You'd be working directly with engineering and integration teams in their Los Angeles office, executing the critical work of bonding ablative materials, installing ceramic and composite tiles, and ensuring heat shield integrity across flight hardware. This is a core manufacturing role in a venture-backed startup backed by Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, working with partners like the U.S. Space Force and NASA.
The position calls for at least five years of aerospace manufacturing or composites experience, with hands-on familiarity with ablative materials, adhesives, and high-temperature composites. You'll interpret technical drawings, manage surface preparation and bonding processes, conduct inspections for defects and spec compliance, and collaborate on process improvements. Direct TPS experience—particularly with tiles, blankets, or ablatives—is highly valued, as is background in aerospace, defense, or high-performance manufacturing and any exposure to cleanroom environments or NDI inspection methods.
The role requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency due to ITAR compliance, and the ability to obtain a Secret or Top Secret security clearance. The salary range is $46,000–$61,000 annually, with individual pay determined by experience, skills, and other candidate-specific factors. You'll need to be comfortable with extended standing, repetitive manual work, PPE and respirators, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
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Pay for this role
$46 to $61 per hour
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