Staff Mission Design Engineer

Inversion•Los Angeles, CA

3h•$161,000 - $221,000•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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
Typically, 9+ years of experience in mission design, trajectory analysis, or flight performance for launch, reentry, hypersonic, or missile systems
Experience with trajectory optimization using an industry-standard tool (POST, OTIS, TAOS, Copernicus, or similar)
Experience developing and exercising 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations
Strong fundamentals in flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, and atmospheric entry dynamics
Strong fundamentals in statistical and probabilistic analysis, including Monte Carlo and dispersion analysis
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C++ for simulation and analysis
Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills, including customer-facing work
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience with constellation design, coverage analysis, or orbit propagation tools (e.g., STK, GMAT)
Experience reverse engineering performance of existing vehicles
Experience with range safety and footprint analysis (e.g., expected casualty, circular error probable) for reentry or launch systems
Experience reconciling simulation predictions against flight test data
Familiarity with vehicle GNC algorithms and their interaction with mission design
Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams

Responsibilities

Develop design reference missions and flight envelopes for new vehicles
Lead performance sensitivity and trade studies that inform vehicle-level design decisions
Support 3-DOF and 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulation campaigns for new vehicles, from dispersion definition through results synthesis
Work directly with customers to support constellation design and mission architecture efforts
Translate customer mission needs into vehicle and trajectory requirements
Mentor engineers across the mission design and simulation teams