Senior Avionics Engineer Verified today

About Inversion Space

Inversion is building highly maneuverable reentry vehicles that can loiter in orbit before precision landing back on Earth. The mission is to establish routine space-to-Earth transportation free of borders.

The Role

As Senior Avionics Engineer, you will be personally responsible for the architecture and implementation of core avionics elements for next-generation vehicles. You report directly to the Director of Engineering, Avionics, and own the complete lifecycle of avionics hardware from development through testing and integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop complete avionics systems including architecture, design, integration, and verification from concept through qualified hardware delivery
• Lead 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
• Implement robust design and test processes that ensure reliability and safety
• Qualify designs through environmental testing including vibration, shock, thermal cycling (TCYC), and thermal vacuum (TVAC)
• Collaborate with propulsion, guidance and control, thermal, and software teams to ensure seamless integration and performance
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders on component selection, testing, and delivery schedules
• Lead and present trade studies to shape architecture and design
• Maintain accurate design documentation, test plans, and reports
• Contribute to flight software architecture design

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Typically 5+ years professional experience in 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 equivalent board design software
• Hands-on work implementing mixed-signal PCBs with digital communications (UART, I2C, SPI, RS422, RS485, CAN, PCIe, Ethernet)
• 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 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, RTDs, pressure transducers, solenoid valves)
• Experience with video system development and integration
• Proficiency with C/C++, Python, or Rust
• Proficiency with VHDL or Verilog
• Prior work in startups and small independent teams

Employment Details

Location: Playa Vista, California. This position requires in-office presence.

California annual base salary: $137,000-$193,000. Pay determined on case-by-case basis based on role, level, location, market data, interviews, job-related skills, education, experience, certifications, and internal equity.

ITAR Compliance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, 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.