Structures Engineer II
Inversion· Aerospace & Defense· Jul 21, 2026 · 3mo agoPosted 98 days ago
Playa Vista, California, United States
In office
Full-time
Mid
$110K–$150K
2+ years exp
Before you apply
Ghost Signal:
Open since July 21, 2026 — 98 days, and still accepting applications.
Job description
Advanced Reentry Technologies
Who We Are:
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. Position Overview
As a S tructures Engineer II at Inversion, you will own cradle to grave development of primary and secondary structures on one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever develope d . You’ll drive primary structure design for a novel reentry vehicle working closely with cross-functional teams to solve complex packaging and manufacturability problems while driving des igns toward real hardware .
T his is a unique opportunity to own primary structure design of a new aerospace vehicle from initial concept through qualification and production . You will be a key member of the Mechanical team, reporting to the Director of Mechanical.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design and development of primary and secondary vehicle structures, including load paths, joints, attachments, and structural interfaces
Own structural concept development from early architecture through hardware realization , balancing mass efficiency, robustness, manufacturability, and reliability
Partner closely with analysis engineers to develop and refine structural sizing approaches, margin strategy, and environmental load assumptions
Drive structural integration across vehicle subsystems, including payload, avionics packaging, propulsion interfaces, and deployment/separation systems
Support development of TPS-to-structure integration concepts , including attachment approaches, tolerances, and assembly considerations
Generate and review CAD, drawings, and product definition needed to release high-quality hardware
Support prototype and flight hardware builds through manufacturing coordination, assembly planning, test support, and failure investigation
Conduct trade studies and make sound engineering decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous development environment
Present design progress, technical risks, and recommended paths forward in design reviews and cross-functional program forums
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent technical experience
Typically 2 + years of professional experience de veloping hardware for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications
Strong mechanical design skills w ith an emphasis on structural interfaces, packaging, high-load environments, and mass optimization
Strong proficiency in 3D CAD software (NX, CATIA, Solidworks , or similar)
Familiarity with structural analysis tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, FEMAP, or equivalent) with an emphasis on modal and static structural analysis
Proficiency in creating detailed engineering drawings with GD&T and other technical documentation
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.
Desired Qualifications
Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
Demonstrated history of mechanical design ownership from cradle to grave
Experience in the design and test of qualified space-flight hardware
Experience with large metallic structures for space, aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications
Experience supporting prototype builds and rapid design iteration in a hardware-rich environment
Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.
The California annual base salary for this role is currently $110,000 - $150,000. 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 .
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 for further details.
Application prep
Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.
- Platform
- greenhouse
- Effort
- quick