Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance)

Position Overview

Inversion's lifting-body reentry platform will be a highly maneuverable, highly accurate vehicle that is an industry first - and its guidance system is what makes that maneuverability count. As the Staff GNC Engineer (Guidance), you will be responsible for developing the guidance architecture for a high-performance maneuvering reentry vehicle, delivering high performance in the face of real-time mission updates.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the guidance architecture for a maneuvering reentry vehicle from concept through flight.
• Develop guidance algorithms that replan trajectories onboard in response to real-time mission updates.
• Build and exercise 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations to develop, stress, and validate guidance performance.
• Develop plant models of vehicle and subsystem dynamics to support algorithm design and simulation fidelity.
• Work with the broader GNC, simulation, and mission design teams to close vehicle-level performance.
• Mentor engineers across the GNC team

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Typically, 9+ years of applicable experience developing and testing guidance or GNC algorithms and systems.
• Experience with modern convex optimization methods for guidance (e.g., successive convexification / sequential convex programming, lossless convexification).
• Experience developing and exercising 3-DOF and 6-DOF flight simulations.
• Strong fundamentals in flight mechanics, optimal control, and trajectory optimization.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++ for simulation and analysis.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with real-time onboard optimization solvers (e.g., ECOS, CVXGEN, OSQP, or custom solvers) in compute-restricted environments.
• Experience with atmospheric entry guidance methods (e.g., numerical predictor-corrector approaches).
• Experience building plant models of aerospace systems (aerodynamics, propulsion, actuators, sensors).
• Experience with state estimation using limited data (Kalman filtering, sensor fusion).
• Experience building guidance code deployed to real flight hardware.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) test experience.
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams.

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 $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.