Senior Tooling Engineer

Inversion•Los Angeles, CA

3h•$137,000 - $193,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. At Inversion, development speed and scalable systems depend on robust, practical tooling that makes assembly and integration repeatable. As a Tooling Engineer II focused on TPS, you will design the tooling that is critical to successfully manufacturing, forming, machining and integrating thermal protection materials. You will work closely with materials engineers, technicians, and manufacturing teams to create tooling that is simple, durable, and effective across demanding thermal processes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience
2+ years of applicable experience designing and fabricating tooling, fixtures, or support equipment
Experience using Siemens NX or similar CAD software
Strong GD&T, drawing creation, and tolerance fundamentals
Familiarity with machining, welding, fabrication, and common shop processes
Hands-on experience supporting manufacturing, assembly, or prototype hardware builds
Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills
Capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing tooling for composite manufacturing, such as layup molds, cure tools, trim and drill fixtures, or bond fixtures
Experience designing mandrels for tape winding or filament winding, including extraction, breakdown, or collapsible features
Familiarity with tooling materials and construction for elevated-temperature service, such as Invar, tooling board, and composite tooling
Familiarity with vacuum bagging, oven, and autoclave processing
Familiarity with metrology, alignment tooling, or inspection fixtures
Experience working directly with technicians and production teams to refine tooling in use
Experience with rapid prototyping methods and quick-turn vendor fabrication

Responsibilities

Lead the design of tooling used at each stage of the manufacturing and integration process for TPS materials from initial concept through fabrication.
Design layup molds, winding mandrels, and forming tools for parts with complex curvature accounting for elevated-temperature processing, tool-to-part CTE mismatch, and tool life
Design tooling that supports thin, curved, and fragile parts through machining, trimming, and drilling
Generate detailed CAD, drawings, and fabrication packages for internal and external build
Work directly with technicians and manufacturing teams to improve ergonomics, repeatability, and process flow
Coordinate with outside vendors and internal machine shop resources to fabricate and modify tooling quickly
Improve tooling designs through hands-on iteration during material development and hardware build