Optical Engineer

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 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.

• 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.

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Typically 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.

• 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.

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