Manufacturing Engineer II
Inversion
$106,000 - $150,000 / year
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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 Manufacturing Engineer at Inversion, you will report directly to the Manager of Arc Vehicle Integration & Test. In this role, you will build, integrate, and test critical subsystems for our Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. You will own the transition of designs from the engineering team to the integration floor, developing build sequences, assembly procedures, and floor tooling. You will work cross-functionally with design engineers and floor technicians to execute physical integration, troubleshoot hardware anomalies in real-time, and ensure flight hardware meets strict quality and schedule milestones.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, optimize, and own the end-to-end vehicle assembly sequence, integration flow, and build plans for the Arc vehicle.
- Create and execute detailed vehicle assembly sequences and integration plans for critical Arc subsystems.
- Author, release, and maintain high-fidelity manufacturing work instructions, structural bonding procedures, and integration checklists.
- Design, build, and proof-load assembly fixtures, tooling, and ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD.
- Lead the disposition of floor non-conformances (MRB), perform rigorous root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for structural and mechanical integration issues.
- Coordinate directly with centralized shops to schedule and execute part deliveries, structural bonding, mechanical fabrication, and subassembly integration.
- Establish standard practices for precision mechanical joints, fasteners, adhesives, and critical interface alignments.
- Execute subassembly and vehicle-level mass properties, alignment measurements, and system checkouts.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
- Typically 2+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing, hardware integration, structural assembly, or vehicle-level build environments.
- Proven experience authoring detailed assembly procedures, managing build configurations, and driving floor execution.
- Experience designing tooling, fixtures, or GSE in CAD (Siemens NX or equivalent) and applying standard GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
- Direct experience with structural bonding, composite assembly, mechanical fastening, or thermal protection system (TPS) integration.
- Familiarity with Material Review Board (MRB) processes, non-conformance tracking, and root-cause analysis.
- Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high-reliability aerospace hardware assembly.
- Experience with aerospace cleaning, bonding preparations, and cleanroom operations.
- Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, pyrotechnics installation, or flight avionics harnessing integration.
- Familiarity with Thermal Protection System (TPS) manufacturing processes.
- Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent 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 $106,000 - $150,000. 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.
Benefits
- stock options
About this role
Inversion is building hypersonic reentry vehicles to deliver payloads from space to anywhere on Earth in under an hour, and this role sits at the heart of turning those designs into flight hardware. As a Manufacturing Engineer II, you'll own the complete assembly sequence and integration flow for the Arc vehicle, working directly with design engineers and floor technicians to move critical subsystems from concept through build and test. You'll author assembly procedures, design tooling and fixtures in CAD, troubleshoot real-time hardware issues, and drive non-conformances to root cause—all while meeting strict quality and schedule milestones on hardware destined for national security and commercial applications.
This position demands hands-on aerospace manufacturing experience, ideally two or more years in structural assembly, vehicle-level builds, or hardware integration. You'll need proficiency in CAD (Siemens NX or equivalent), working knowledge of GD&T, and direct experience with structural bonding, composite assembly, or mechanical fastening. Familiarity with Material Review Board processes and the ability to author detailed, high-fidelity work instructions are essential. The role is based in Playa Vista, California and requires full in-office presence, a Secret/Top Secret security clearance, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency under ITAR regulations.
The salary range is $106,000 to $150,000 annually, with individual pay determined by experience, skills, and internal equity. This is a startup environment backed by Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures—suited for someone who thrives in fast-paced, small-team settings and wants to work on hardware that matters.
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Pay for this role
$106,000 to $150,000 per year
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