Director of Engineering, Manufacturing
- Pay
- $175,000 – $244,000 per year
- Location
- Playa Vista, CA · On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Director
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Listed
- 31 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance
- precision machining
- aerospace manufacturing
- lean manufacturing
Also useful
- MRP/ERP systems
- aerospace quality standards (AS9100)
Position Overview
We are seeking a Director of Engineering, Manufacturing to own all manufacturing at Inversion. This leader will be responsible for the full manufacturing ecosystem across the company - including precision machining, harnessing, mechanical assembly, and parachute systems.
You will build and scale a world-class aerospace manufacturing organization that is efficient, cost-effective, quality-driven, and capable of supporting flight hardware at increasing production rates.
You will drive operational excellence, production planning, workforce scaling, capital strategy, and process optimization across all manufacturing disciplines.
This role reports directly to executive leadership and will be a core member of the company's technical leadership team.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Strategy & Scale
- Transition programs from development to repeatable production
- Define make vs. buy strategy across all subsystems
- Drive capacity planning, rate readiness, and production forecasting
Operational Excellence
- Establish lean manufacturing systems across machining, avionics, harnessing, and parachutes
- Reduce cycle time, improve yield, and optimize throughput
- Implement KPIs for safety, quality, cost, and delivery
- Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions
Machine Shop & Fabrication
- Oversee precision CNC machining operations (5-axis capability)
- Ensure alignment between manufacturing engineering and shop floor execution
- Drive programming standards, tooling strategy, and fixture optimization
Avionics & Harness Manufacturing
- Implement scalable harness fabrication processes with strong QA controls
- Improve repeatability and documentation for flight hardware
Parachutes & Soft Goods Manufacturing
- Develop production and inspection standards for parachute systems
- Ensure quality and traceability for critical recovery hardware
- Build scalable soft goods manufacturing capability
People & Leadership
- Build and lead a high-performing manufacturing organization
- Develop frontline leaders and technical experts
- Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and urgency
- Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Flight Operations
Infrastructure & Capital
- Define capital equipment strategy and facility layout
- Support facility expansion planning
- Implement MRP/ERP and production tracking systems
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, including leadership roles
- Proven experience scaling hardware production from prototype to flight or production rate
- Deep understanding of machining, assembly, and aerospace quality standards
- Experience overseeing cross-functional manufacturing disciplines (electrical + mechanical)
- Strong background in lean manufacturing and process optimization
- Experience building organizations from the ground up
- Familiarity with aerospace regulatory and quality frameworks
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in launch vehicles, spacecraft, re-entry systems, or high-reliability aerospace hardware
- Experience standing up new manufacturing facilities
- Advanced engineering degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related field)
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 $175,000-$244,000 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.
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.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
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.
From Inversion's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 10, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
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Common questions
What is the salary for the Director of Engineering, Manufacturing role at Inversion?
The Director of Engineering, Manufacturing posting at Inversion states compensation of $175,000 – $244,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Inversion's official career site.
Where is the Director of Engineering, Manufacturing job at Inversion located?
This Director of Engineering, Manufacturing position at Inversion is located in Playa Vista, CA (On-site). Always check Inversion's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Director of Engineering, Manufacturing at Inversion?
For the Director of Engineering, Manufacturing role, Inversion highlights 10+ years of relevant experience; experience with precision machining, aerospace manufacturing, lean manufacturing. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Director of Engineering, Manufacturing position at Inversion?
This listing links directly to Inversion's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on Inversion's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.