Senior Avionics Engineer Verified today

About Inversion Space

Inversion is an aerospace and defense company pioneering advanced reentry technology. The company's highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft, Arc, is designed for rapid global cargo delivery, hypersonic testing, and national security missions requiring precise controlled flight through the atmosphere.

Position Overview

As a Senior Avionics Engineer, you will be personally responsible for the architecture and implementation of core avionics elements for next-generation vehicles. You will report directly to the Director of Engineering, Avionics, and help define the foundation of Inversion's avionics architecture while setting technical standards for future team growth.

Our engineers own the complete lifecycle of the hardware they create, including development, testing, and integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop complete avionics systems, including architecture, design, integration, and verification, from initial concept through delivery of qualified hardware.
• Lead the technical execution of avionics hardware builds, including PCB design, harnessing, embedded systems, and environmental qualification.
• Develop, lead, and own digital, analog, and mixed-signal circuit board designs.
• Collaborate with propulsion, guidance and control, thermal and software teams to ensure seamless integration and performance.
• Implement robust design and test processes that ensure reliability and safety of your designs.
• Qualify your designs through environmental testing including vibration, shock, TCYC, and TVAC testing.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to manage component selection, testing, and delivery schedules.
• Lead and present trade studies to shape the architecture and design.
• Maintain accurate design documentation, test plans, and reports, demonstrating strong communication and organizational skills.
• Contribute to flight software architecture design.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in the design, build, and test cycle for satellite and spacecraft flight computer hardware.
• Proficiency executing thorough mixed-signal and digital circuit simulations.
• Demonstrated ability designing PCBAs using Altium Designer or other board design software.
• Hands-on work implementing mixed-signal PCBs with digital communications (UART, I2C, SPI, RS422, RS485, CAN, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.).
• Background in fault-tolerant and failover-capable electronics design.
• Proven ability designing test systems and developing test plans for multidisciplinary systems.
• Strong understanding of requirements, systems design, and test methods for space, launch, and/or reentry environments including thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation.
• Proficient using common laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and data acquisition systems.
• Proven track record of delivering high-visibility designs resulting from rigorous methodology.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Background in high-reliability and/or safety-critical systems for spacecraft or automotive applications.
• Knowledge of radiation-hardened or rad-tolerant system design.
• Demonstrated ability implementing advanced microprocessors and support structures, including DRAM, power distribution, NAND flash, and other peripherals.
• Understanding of unique design requirements for long-duration orbital missions.
• Knowledge of common spacecraft ADCS sensors and propulsion components (star trackers, reaction wheels, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, pressure transducers, solenoid valves, etc.).
• Experience with video system development and integration.
• Proficiency with software and scripting languages such as C/C++, Python, or Rust.
• Proficiency with RTL languages such as VHDL or Verilog.
• Prior work in startups and small independent teams.

Compensation and Location

California annual base salary: $137,000-$193,000. This position requires in-office presence at our Playa Vista, CA headquarters.

Pay is determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay may vary based on interviews, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, and internal equity.

ITAR Compliance

You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State to conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).