Manufacturing Engineer II

Advanced Reentry Technologies

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Experience with…