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Staff Avionics/RF Software Engineer

Playa Vista, California, United States

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

Who We Are:
Eras of humanity can often be defined by a dominant transportation mode - horse-drawn chariots, ocean-going boats, or aircraft. These were spurred by a small group of people rigorously focused on building technology to achieve faster access to more of the world. We seek to usher in a new era of humanity defined by universal access to the whole globe, free of borders and the presence of a routine way from space to Earth. To do this, we are building highly maneuverable re-entry vehicles that can loiter in orbit before precision landing back on Earth. 

What You’ll Do:

Inversion is seeking a Staff Avionics / RF Software Engineer to lead the development of RF and telemetry software systems that bridge flight hardware, ground networks, and mission operations. You’ll architect, design, and deliver end-to-end avionics and communication software for our next-generation reentry vehicles.

This role combines RF systems engineering, embedded software development, and test system architecture design. You’ll work closely with avionics hardware, flight software, GNC, and operations teams to ensure reliable telemetry, command, and communication systems across all flight regimes.

As a Staff Avionics / RF Software Engineer at Inversion, you’ll also set the technical direction of RF and Avionics software stacks, mentor teammates, drive subsystem-level architecture, and software standards that ensure performance, safety, and testability. This role offers the opportunity to make impactful contributions while working in a cross-functional team environment to deliver systems supporting next-generation transportation systems. This role is a member of the Avionics team, reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, Avionics.

Responsibilities 

  • Architect and implement software for avionics and RF systems, including telemetry, command uplink, and communication links.
  • Develop, test, and deploy C++/Python software applications running on embedded Linux and SoC platforms (Zynq 7000 / UltraScale+).
  • Lead software design for software-defined radios (SDRs), RF modems, and FPGA-based signal processing systems.
  • Develop link budgets, modulation schemes, and signal-processing pipelines to ensure robust communication across mission phases.
  • Perform end-to-end subsystem verification and participate in flight campaign readiness and anomaly investigations.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with avionics, GNC, and launch operations teams to integrate, validate, and operate RF systems.
  • Interface with regulatory bodies and partners to ensure spectrum allocation and ground network compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in avionics, RF communications, or embedded systems engineering.
  • Strong proficiency in C++, Python, and embedded Linux (PetaLinux, U-Boot, device trees).
  • Demonstrated experience developing and testing flight or mission-critical communication systems.
  • Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (spectrum/network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes).
  • Proven ability to take a subsystem from concept through design, test, and flight operations.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working on launch vehicle, satellite, or UAV systems.
  • Prior startup experience, ideally in fast-paced, hardware-driven environments.
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated build/test infrastructure.
  • Skilled in scripting and tooling development to improve test, integration, and flight workflows.
  • Experience with software-defined radios (SDR), FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog), and Xilinx SoC tools (Vivado, RFNoC).
  • Demonstrated experience with working in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test environments, integrating real-time flight software and ground support hardware.
  • Familiarity with flight telemetry systems, ground station integration, and RF link analysis.
  • Demonstrated experience guiding system-level architecture, design reviews, sprint planning, and mentoring within the Avionics team.
  • Experience with GNU Radio, MATLAB, and simulation of modulation and coding schemes.
  • Hands-on bring-up experience with Linux kernel, device drivers, PCBAs, and third-party systems.
  • Experience with ground network integration and regulatory coordination.
  • Experience implementing ground-to-flight data interfaces using Ethernet, UDP/TMoIP, and other standards.
  • Prior on-console or launch campaign operations experience.
  • Experience developing systems leveraging industry standard telemetry formats (IRIG 106/CCSDS) and PCM/FM, SOQPSK-TG, and FSK-based links across L-, S-, and C-band systems.
  • Background working with Mission Ops teams to determine ground station requirements and assist with FAA/FCC licensing activities.

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $169,000-199,000.  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.

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