Senior Flight Software Engineer

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 Senior Flight Software Engineer at Inversion, you will have an instrumental impact on the design, functionality, and performance of our next-generation reentry vehicles. You will own a substantial aspect of the flight software stack that enables our spacecraft to complete its mission of extended operation in space, eventually returning on Earth to be recovered. Your impact will encompass all aspects of fight software, including commanding, telemetry, and implementation of control algorithms running on custom hardware that flies the world’s first reentry vehicle designed for turning space into a viable transportation layer for Earth.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Owning critical software components for a new vehicle, from initial concept though design, implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Writing and testing software for spacecraft, including drivers, networking, fault management, and attitude control interfaces.
• Assisting in creating and executing tests, including HITL (hardware in the loop) and HOOTL/SITL (software in the loop) testing, integration testing, and unit testing.
• Assisting with the growth and development of the software organization, including conducting interviews and mentoring/onboarding other engineers and interns.

We’re a mission-driven team passionate about pushing the limits of space exploration. While there may be moments when the excitement calls for extended hours or weekend work, we prioritize creating an environment where our engineers feel inspired, supported, and constantly challenged to grow. 

Required Qualifications: 

• 5+ years of software development experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in a systems level language like Rust, C++, or C.
• Experience working in a Linux development environment.
• Experience with tools and processes related to software development such as version control, code reviews, issue tracking, and CI/CD environments. 
• An innovative and optimistic approach to your work in a dynamic and uncertain environment.
• Position may require occasional extended hours and/or weekend work. 
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience with safety critical systems or other fault tolerant systems.
• Familiarity with utilizing Python or similar language for testing and tooling.
• Hands-on experience developing, testing, and/or operating spacecraft, flight hardware, HITL (hardware-in-the-loop), flat-sats, and avionics systems.
• Experience collaborating with GNC engineers and developing interfaces to sensors (IMUs, GPSs, Star Trackers, etc.).
• Experience with networking concepts (TCP, UDP, Ethernet, etc.).
• Experience with low-level communication protocols (CANbus, UART, I2C, RS422/485, etc.).
• Familiarity with the Linux kernel and interfacing with it (kernel modules, device trees, etc.). Extra points for embedded Linux experience (Yocto, Buildroot, or similar).
• Prior experience working in startups and small independent teams.

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 $139,000 - $201,000.  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.}