--- title: 'Senior Avionics Engineer at Inversion' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-avionics-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-california-x8kyfk800gj7' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Senior Avionics Engineer at Inversion - **Company:** Inversion - **Location:** Playa Vista California, United States - **Posted:** 2026-04-15 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/inversionspace/jobs/4685103005 ## Job description Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth Who We Are: Eras of humanity can often be defined by a dominant transportation mode - horse drawn chariots, ocean going boats, or aircraft. These were spurred by a small group of people rigorously focused on building technology to achieve faster access to more of the world. We seek to usher in a new era of humanity defined by universal access to the whole globe free of borders and the presence of a routine way from space to Earth. To do this, we are building highly maneuverable re-entry vehicles that can loiter in orbit before precision landing back on Earth. What You'll Do: As a Senior Avionics Engineer, you will be personally responsible for the architecture and implementation of the core avionics elements for Inversion's next-generation vehicles. This position requires a highly motivated engineer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can execute with autonomy. You will help define the foundation of Inversion's avionics architecture while setting the technical standards for future team growth. You will be a key member of the Avionics team, reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, Avionics. Our engineers are responsible for the complete lifecycle of the hardware they create, including development, testing, and integration. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: - Develop complete avionics systems, including architecture, design, integration, and verification, from initial concept through delivery of qualified hardware - Lead the technical execution of avionics hardware builds, including PCB design, harnessing, embedded systems, and environmental qualification - Collaborate with propulsion, guidance and control, thermal and software teams to ensure seamless integration and performance of avionics systems - Develop, lead, and own digital, analog, and mixed-signal circuit board designs - Implement robust design and test processes that ensure reliability and safety of your designs - Qualify your designs through environmental testing including vibration, shock, TCYC, and TVAC testing - Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to manage component selection, testing, and delivery schedules - Lead and present trade studies to shape the architecture and design - Maintain accurate design documentation, test plans, and reports, demonstrating strong communication and organizational skills - Contribute to flight software architecture design Required Qualifications: - Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field - Typically, 5+ years of professional experience in the design, build, and test cycle for satellite and spacecraft flight computer hardware - Proficiency executing thorough mixed-signal and digital circuit simulations - Demonstrated ability designing PCBAs using Altium Designer or other board design software - Hands-on work implementing mixed-signal PCBs with digital communications (UART, I2C, SPI, RS422, RS485, CAN, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.) - Background in fault-tolerant and failover-capable electronics design - Proven ability designing test systems and developing test plans for multidisciplinary systems - Strong understanding of requirements, systems design, and test methods for space, launch, and/or reentry environments including thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation - Proficient using common laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and data acquisition systems - Proven track record of delivering high-visibility designs resulting from rigorous methodology Desired Qualifications: - Background in high-reliability and/or safety-critical systems for spacecraft or automotive applications - Knowledge of radiation-hardened or rad-tolerant system design - Demonstrated ability implementing advanced microprocessors and support structures, including DRAM, power distribution, NAND flash, and other peripherals - Understanding of unique design requirements for long-duration orbital missions - Knowledge of common spacecraft ADCS sensors and propulsion components (star trackers, reaction wheels, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), pressure transducers, solenoid valves, etc.) - Experience with video system development and integration - Proficiency with software and scripting languages such as C/C++, Python, or Rust - Proficiency with RTL languages such as VHDL or Verilog - Prior work in startups and 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 $137,000-$193,000. 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. ITAR Compliance: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR [here](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987). Equal Employment Opportunity: Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability. Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.  If you are a US Job Applicant see the [CCPA Privacy Policy Notice](https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa) for further details. ## About Inversion ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Inversion builds advanced reentry vehicles to turn space into a global logistics network for Earth, enabling rapid, precise delivery of payloads anywhere on the planet. - **Entity Type**: Private (funding stage: Series unknown; raised $44M from investors including Y Combinator, plus a $71M U.S. Space Force contract) - **Headquarters**: Playa Vista, California, United States - **Founded**: 2021 - **Founders**: Justin Fiaschetti and Austin Briggs ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Aerospace & Defense – Reentry vehicles, space logistics, hypersonic delivery - **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, national security agencies, and future commercial logistics operators (B2G / B2B) - **Mission**: “To make Earth radically more accessible by turning space into a global logistics network.” ## Products & Services - **Ray**: Inversion’s first in-house developed spacecraft and reentry capsule, built to validate key subsystems for future vehicles. Developed by a team of 25 for under $1M. - **Arc**: Flagship autonomous, reusable, low-cost space-based delivery vehicle designed to deploy payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour. Dual-use for defense and commercial applications. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total funding of $44M (led by Y Combinator and other investors) + $71M Space Force contract - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Y Combinator, Anduril Industries (partnered on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome), U.S. Space Force - **Growth Signals**: 60-person team, 55,000 sqft facility in Los Angeles, dedicated test site in Mojave Desert, successful orbital flight of Ray, partnership with Anduril for Golden Dome program ## Competitive Advantages - **Speed & cost**: Entire spacecraft developed by 25 people for under $1M – dramatically faster and cheaper than traditional aerospace. - **In-house vertical integration**: Nearly every system (propulsion, avionics, thermal protection, parachutes) developed internally. - **Dual-use focus**: Technology serves urgent defense needs while laying groundwork for commercial logistics. - **Experienced founding team**: Former SpaceX (Raptor engine) and ABL Space Systems engineers. ## Strategic Focus - **Immediate priority**: Deliver on the Space Force contract and Golden Dome partnership with Anduril for space-based interceptors. - **Long-term vision**: Build a reusable, on-demand logistics network using Low-Earth Orbit to enable global delivery in under an hour. - **Technical roadmap**: Scale reentry vehicle production, improve landing precision, and expand military and commercial applications. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Emphasizes “talent density” and “extreme ownership” – a small, high-impact team where every engineer owns critical hardware flying in space. - **Work environment**: Hands-on, fast iteration – rapid testing at Mojave test site, full machine shop, cleanroom integration facility, and parachute manufacturing on-site. - **Hybrid / office**: Likely on-site heavy (engineering, manufacturing, testing); HQ in Playa Vista, CA. - **Perks**: Generous parental leave, family and childcare benefits (per Built In). - **Engineering culture**: Build and test own hardware; work across GNC, avionics, propulsion, structures, and simulation. 32 open roles on Greenhouse as of mid-2026. ## Sources 1. [inversionspace.com](https://www.inversionspace.com/) 2. [inversionspace.com/company](https://www.inversionspace.com/company) 3. [inversionspace.com/careers](https://www.inversionspace.com/careers) 4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/inversionspace](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/inversionspace) 5. [builtin.com/company/inversion-space](https://builtin.com/company/inversion-space) ## Other roles at Inversion - [Engineering Manager, Arc Vehicle Mechanical](https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-manager-arc-vehicle-mechanical-inversion-playa-vista-california-vxdkzp21errc) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Senior RF Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-rf-systems-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-california-0zq48yd93bcm) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Avionics Integration and Test Technician II](https://feeny.ai/job/avionics-integration-and-test-technician-ii-inversion-playa-vista-california-f2r8jdrna32d) — Playa Vista California, United States - [TPS Technician I](https://feeny.ai/job/tps-technician-i-inversion-playa-vista-california-vj6ncz8mzvc5) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Avionics Mechanical Engineer I](https://feeny.ai/job/avionics-mechanical-engineer-i-inversion-playa-vista-california-3m74qzx075zt) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Senior Content Producer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-content-producer-inversion-playa-vista-california-nqxs51kfq2m3) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Senior System Administrator](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-system-administrator-inversion-playa-vista-california-wjh2av77xsz5) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Reentry)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manufacturing-engineer-reentry-inversion-playa-vista-california-t4e1n3tb7www) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Senior Propulsion Development Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-propulsion-development-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-california-dfkke9y60xte) — Playa Vista California, United States - [Senior Mechatronics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechatronics-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-california-93k5aymb465v) — Playa Vista California, United States