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Senior Avionics Engineer Verified today

Inversion Space · Playa Vista, CA · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-23
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About Inversion

Inversion is an aerospace and defense company pioneering advanced reentry technology. The company designs, manufactures, and integrates its highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft, Arc, for rapid global cargo delivery, hypersonic testing, and national security missions. Headquartered in Los Angeles with backing from Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures.

The Role

As a Senior Avionics Engineer, you will be personally responsible for the architecture and implementation of core avionics elements for Inversion's next-generation vehicles. You will report to the Engineering Manager, Avionics, and own the complete lifecycle of 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
  • Own digital, analog, and mixed-signal circuit board designs
  • Collaborate with propulsion, guidance and control, thermal, and software teams to ensure seamless integration
  • Implement robust design and test processes ensuring reliability and safety
  • Qualify designs through environmental testing including vibration, shock, TCYC, and TVAC
  • Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders on component selection, testing, and delivery schedules
  • Lead and present trade studies to shape architecture and design
  • Maintain design documentation, test plans, and reports with strong communication and organizational skills
  • Contribute to flight software architecture design

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years professional experience in design, build, and test cycle for satellite and spacecraft flight computer hardware
  • Proficiency executing mixed-signal and digital circuit simulations
  • Demonstrated ability designing PCBAs using Altium Designer or equivalent board design software
  • Hands-on implementation of 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 reentry environments including thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation
  • Proficiency using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and data acquisition systems
  • Proven track record delivering high-visibility designs from rigorous methodology
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret or 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 peripherals
  • Understanding of unique design requirements for long-duration orbital missions
  • Knowledge of spacecraft ADCS sensors and propulsion components such as 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 RTL languages such as VHDL or Verilog
  • Prior work in startups and small independent teams

Location and Compensation

This position requires in-office presence at our headquarters in Playa Vista, California. California annual base salary: $137,000-$193,000. Individual pay determined on case-by-case basis based on interviews, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, and internal equity.

ITAR Compliance

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