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Staff Optical Engineer

Playa Vista, California, United States

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 Staff Optical Engineer at Inversion, you will own major elements of the optical systems that enable our vehicles to sense, navigate, and perform in extreme environments. You will lead the development of sensor windows, seeker architectures, and a variety of spectral camera systems from early trades through analysis, integration, and test. This is a unique opportunity to define the optical hardware for first-of-their-kind reentry systems and help ensure it performs when it matters most.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Lead the development of sensor window and seeker design and analysis for Inversion flight systems. 
  • Own the development of spectral camera systems, including architecture, component selection, integration, and performance trades. 
  • Perform optical analyses including transmission, image quality, stray light, thermal effects, and environmental impacts on performance. 
  • Work closely with mechanical, thermal, avionics, autonomy, and test teams to integrate optical hardware into flight systems. 
  • Evaluate and select lenses, detectors, coatings, optical materials, and vendor solutions to meet mission requirements. 
  • Assist in planning and execution of optical quality measurement tests and related validation campaigns. 
  • Translate test and analysis results into clear recommendations that improve system performance and reduce risk. 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience. 
  • Typically 9+ years of applicable experience designing, analyzing, and testing optical systems. 
  • Experience with imaging systems. 
  • Experience using optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, or equivalent software. 
  • Strong understanding of optical materials, coatings, sensor windows, and environmental effects on optical performance. 
  • Experience planning and performing optical bench or lab testing. 
  • Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
  • Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with high ownership. 
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Master’s degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field. 
  • Experience with aerospace, spaceflight, hypersonic, or reentry optical systems. 
  • Experience with seeker design, boresight stability, MTF, radiometry, and stray light analysis. 
  • Experience developing and qualifying camera systems for harsh environments. 
  • Experience working directly with vendors to develop custom optical hardware. 
  • Experience supporting environmental, field, or flight test campaigns for optical systems. 

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 $161,000-$221,000.  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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