--- title: 'Senior Flight Software Engineer at Inversion' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-flight-software-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-ka5bjx60bjmt' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-17' --- # Senior Flight Software Engineer at Inversion - **Company:** Inversion - **Location:** Playa Vista, CA - **Posted:** 2026-04-30 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-17 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/inversionspace/jobs/4691394005 ## Job 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 Senior Flight Software Engineer at Inversion, you will have an instrumental impact on the design, functionality, and performance of our next-generation reentry vehicles. You will own a substantial aspect of the flight software stack that enables our spacecraft to complete its mission of extended operation in space, eventually returning on Earth to be recovered. Your impact will encompass all aspects of fight software, including commanding, telemetry, and implementation of control algorithms running on custom hardware that flies the world’s first reentry vehicle designed for turning space into a viable transportation layer for Earth. Key Responsibilities: - Owning critical software components for a new vehicle, from initial concept though design, implementation, testing, and deployment. - Writing and testing software for spacecraft, including drivers, networking, fault management, and attitude control interfaces. - Assisting in creating and executing tests, including HITL (hardware in the loop) and HOOTL/SITL (software in the loop) testing, integration testing, and unit testing. - Assisting with the growth and development of the software organization, including conducting interviews and mentoring/onboarding other engineers and interns. We’re a mission-driven team passionate about pushing the limits of space exploration. While there may be moments when the excitement calls for extended hours or weekend work, we prioritize creating an environment where our engineers feel inspired, supported, and constantly challenged to grow. Required Qualifications: - 5+ years of software development experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. - Experience working in a systems level language like Rust, C++, or C. - Experience working in a Linux development environment. - Experience with tools and processes related to software development such as version control, code reviews, issue tracking, and CI/CD environments. - An innovative and optimistic approach to your work in a dynamic and uncertain environment. - Position may require occasional extended hours and/or weekend work. - Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. Desired Qualifications: - Experience with safety critical systems or other fault tolerant systems. - Familiarity with utilizing Python or similar language for testing and tooling. - Hands-on experience developing, testing, and/or operating spacecraft, flight hardware, HITL (hardware-in-the-loop), flat-sats, and avionics systems. - Experience collaborating with GNC engineers and developing interfaces to sensors (IMUs, GPSs, Star Trackers, etc.). - Experience with networking concepts (TCP, UDP, Ethernet, etc.). - Experience with low-level communication protocols (CANbus, UART, I2C, RS422/485, etc.). - Familiarity with the Linux kernel and interfacing with it (kernel modules, device trees, etc.). Extra points for embedded Linux experience (Yocto, Buildroot, or similar). - Prior experience working 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 $139,000 - $201,000.  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 - [Senior CNC Programmer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cnc-programmer-inversion-playa-vista-4c12ah0jvbps) — Playa Vista, CA - [Avionics Embedded Software Engineer - Summer Internship 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/avionics-embedded-software-engineer-summer-internship-2027-inversion-playa-vista-z5egz8y5tz6r) — Playa Vista, CA - [Avionics Mechanical Engineer - Summer Internship 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/avionics-mechanical-engineer-summer-internship-2027-inversion-playa-vista-g0crbm6p0qzj) — Playa Vista, CA - [Manufacturing Engineer - Summer Internship 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-summer-internship-2027-inversion-playa-vista-v1axdn62g0tw) — Playa Vista, CA - [Mechanical Engineer - Summer Internship 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-summer-internship-2027-inversion-playa-vista-9mpn8cr4xyyn) — Playa Vista, CA - [Senior Avionics Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-avionics-mechanical-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-pk7ff15bzc2f) — Playa Vista, CA - [RF Engineer - Summer Internship 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/rf-engineer-summer-internship-2027-inversion-playa-vista-djqxjtdhjtpd) — Playa Vista, CA - [Parachute Systems Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/parachute-systems-engineer-ii-inversion-playa-vista-apzgx075hbp0) — Playa Vista, CA - [CNC Machinist II](https://feeny.ai/job/cnc-machinist-ii-inversion-playa-vista-c5ajmr376eb1) — Playa Vista, CA - [Senior Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-electrical-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-kb6ex4qth374) — Playa Vista, CA