---
title: 'Staff Optical Engineer at Inversion'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-optical-engineer-inversion-playa-vista-california-z4n1y06kqrxc'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Staff Optical Engineer at Inversion

- **Company:** Inversion
- **Location:** Playa Vista California, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-04-14
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/inversionspace/jobs/4685088005

## Job 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.

What You’ll Do: As a Staff Optical Engineer at Inversion, you will own major elements of the optical systems that enable our vehicles to sense, navigate, and perform in extreme environments. You will lead the development of sensor windows, seeker architectures, and a variety of spectral camera systems from early trades through analysis, integration, and test. This is a unique opportunity to define the optical hardware for first-of-their-kind reentry systems and help ensure it performs when it matters most. In this role, you will:

- Lead the development of sensor window and seeker design and analysis for Inversion flight systems.
- Own the development of spectral camera systems, including architecture, component selection, integration, and performance trades.
- Perform optical analyses including transmission, image quality, stray light, thermal effects, and environmental impacts on performance.
- Work closely with mechanical, thermal, avionics, autonomy, and test teams to integrate optical hardware into flight systems.
- Evaluate and select lenses, detectors, coatings, optical materials, and vendor solutions to meet mission requirements.
- Assist in planning and execution of optical quality measurement tests and related validation campaigns.
- Translate test and analysis results into clear recommendations that improve system performance and reduce risk.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- 9+ years of applicable experience designing, analyzing, and testing optical systems.
- Experience with imaging systems.
- Experience using optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, or equivalent software.
- Strong understanding of optical materials, coatings, sensor windows, and environmental effects on optical performance.
- Experience planning and performing optical bench or lab testing.
- Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with high ownership.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

- Master’s degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- Experience with aerospace, spaceflight, hypersonic, or reentry optical systems.
- Experience with seeker design, boresight stability, MTF, radiometry, and stray light analysis.
- Experience developing and qualifying camera systems for harsh environments.
- Experience working directly with vendors to develop custom optical hardware.
- Experience supporting environmental, field, or flight test campaigns for optical systems.

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $161,000-$221,000.  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)

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