Autonomy Engineer I, Arc Vehicle

Position Overview

As an Autonomy Software Engineer at Inversion, you will implement, test, and verify vehicle-level flight sequencing, mission autonomy, and fault-management logic to high technical standards. Working under the guidance of senior engineers, you will execute software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations, debugging logic gates and verifying autonomous behaviors to prepare our vehicles for safe flight operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and test vehicle-level state machines, flight sequencing, and mission autonomy routines in C++/Rust.
• Support the development and verification of robust fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) software modules.
• Set up, run, and evaluate software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations to validate nominal and off-nominal autonomous behaviors.
• Write comprehensive unit tests, integration tests, and automated test scripts to ensure flight software quality.
• Analyze telemetry and log files from integrated test runs to troubleshoot software anomalies and state-machine transitions.
• Document autonomy logic, interface definitions, and test results to support vehicle system-level qualification.
• Collaborate with systems, GNC, and avionics engineers to define mission phases, command scripts, and automated hazard controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent technical experience.
• Typically 1+ years of internship, academic research, or professional experience developing software for autonomous systems, robotics, or aerospace vehicles.
• Strong foundational programming skills in C++ and Python within a Linux-based development environment.
• Basic understanding of finite state machines, object-oriented software design, or event-driven programming architectures.
• Familiarity with standard software development tools such as Git, build systems, and debuggers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Basic understanding of real-time operating systems (RTOS), embedded systems, or hardware-software interfaces.
• Familiarity with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or UAV flight phases and operations.
• Demonstrated technical execution through collegiate engineering teams (such as Formula SAE, rocket clubs, or robotics design groups).
• Prior internship experience in a fast-paced aerospace or robotics startup environment.

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.:

Pay and benefits

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $71,000 - $124,000. 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.