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Inversion Space

Low-cost cargo re-entry services for space

Structures Engineer 2

Materials & StructuresConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timePlaya Vista, Los Angeles, CA, USA$110k - $150k /yr

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent technical experience is required.
  • Typically, at least 2 years of professional experience developing hardware for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications is required.
  • Strong mechanical design skills are required, emphasizing structural interfaces, packaging, high-load environments, and mass optimization.
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar is required.
  • Familiarity with structural analysis tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, FEMAP, or equivalent is required, emphasizing modal and static structural analysis.
  • Proficiency in creating detailed engineering drawings with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and other technical documentation is required.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment is required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret or Top Secret security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of primary and secondary vehicle structures, including load paths, joints, attachments, and structural interfaces.
  • Own structural concept development from early architecture through hardware realization, balancing mass efficiency, robustness, manufacturability, and reliability.
  • Partner with analysis engineers to develop and refine structural sizing approaches, margin strategy, and environmental load assumptions.
  • Drive structural integration across vehicle subsystems, including payload, avionics packaging, propulsion interfaces, and deployment and separation systems.
  • Support development of thermal protection system (TPS)-to-structure integration concepts, including attachment approaches, tolerances, and assembly considerations.
  • Generate and review computer-aided design (CAD), drawings, and product definition needed to release high-quality hardware.
  • Support prototype and flight hardware builds through manufacturing coordination, assembly planning, test support, and failure investigation.
  • Conduct trade studies and make engineering decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous development environment.
  • Present design progress, technical risks, and recommended paths forward in design reviews and cross-functional program forums.

Desired Qualifications

  • A master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience is desired.
  • Demonstrated history of mechanical design ownership from cradle to grave is desired.
  • Experience in the design and test of qualified space-flight hardware is desired.
  • Experience with large metallic structures for space, aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications is desired.
  • Experience supporting prototype builds and rapid design iteration in a hardware-rich environment is desired.

About the Company

Inversion Space

Low-cost cargo re-entry services for space

Inversion Space builds low-cost, high-frequency re-entry vehicles to bring cargo and resources back from space. The core idea is to provide cargo return services from low-earth orbit and beyond, working with space agencies and private companies under service contracts and partnerships. Their product works by using reusable or versatile re-entry systems to safely carry valuable materials from space back to Earth, enabling clients to shuttle resources, samples, or equipment home for analysis or use. The company differentiates itself by emphasizing affordable, high-cadence return capabilities and a service-based model rather than just selling hardware, aiming to simplify and scale the process of bringing material back from space. The overarching goal is to make returning from space as common and practical as launching to space, supporting the sustainability and growth of space operations.

Company size
51-200
Company stage
Series A
Total funding
$126.8M
Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA
Founded
2021

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