Senior TPS Design Engineer
inversionspace· Reentry
About this role
Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth
Who We Are:
Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space.
Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform — one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach.
Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds.
Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space-based defense and logistics.
Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform — one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach.
Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds.
Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space-based defense and logistics.
What You’ll Do:
Inversion’s reentry vehicles are pushing the limits of hypersonic flight and our Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) are critical to success. As a TPS Design Engineer, you will work alongside Inversion’s aerothermal and structures teams to design, manufacture and integrate a high performance, cost effective TPS for Inversion’s lifting-body reentry vehicles. In this role, you will:
- Design cutting edge thermal protection systems for Inversion’s Arc vehicle
- Organize development and qualification testing of TPS materials and installations
- Develop accelerated TPS integration methods to reduce manufacturing time
- Develop the analysis and design workflow of the flight heatshields for flight vehicles
- Explore trades between TPS materials and manufacturing methods
- Work with outside vendors, suppliers, and testing resources to bring new materials, capabilities, and processes in-house at Inversion
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Chemical Engineering OR equivalent experience in a relevant field
- Typically, 5+ years of professional experience working with, formulating, or producing materials for extreme temperature environments (Reentry, Rocketry, Hypersonics, Propulsion, Nuclear Power, etc.)
- Experience using Siemens NX or similar CAD software
- Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
- This role is onsite at our Playa Vista, California office
Desired Qualifications:
- Professional experience in design, testing, and integration of thermal protection systems for hypersonic or reentry flight vehicles
- Professional experience working with, formulating, or producing ablative or ceramic TPS
- Strong understanding of the fundamentals behind aerothermal heating of reentry vehicles, TPS production, and thermal environments of extreme temperature applications
- 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.
The California annual base salary for this role is currently $150,000-$210,000. 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.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the salary disclosed for the Senior TPS Design Engineer position at inversionspace?
The salary for this Senior TPS Design Engineer role at inversionspace is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Senior TPS Design Engineer position at inversionspace located?
This Senior TPS Design Engineer role at inversionspace is based in Playa Vista, California, United States. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Which team or department does the Senior TPS Design Engineer at inversionspace belong to?
This Senior TPS Design Engineer position is part of the Reentry department at inversionspace. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Senior TPS Design Engineer position at inversionspace?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to inversionspace's official application portal hosted on greenhouse where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Senior TPS Design Engineer job at inversionspace posted?
This Senior TPS Design Engineer position at inversionspace was posted on Oct 20, 2025. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Senior TPS Design Engineer
inversionspace
You'll be redirected to inversionspace's official application page on Greenhouse.