Senior Dynamics Engineer

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for EarthWho 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.   What You'll Do  As a Senior Dynamics Engineer at Inversion, you will own the development of loads, structural dynamics, and multibody dynamics analyses for one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever developed. You’ll work across vehicle architecture, structures, mechanisms, and test to define critical dynamic environments, mature structural and deployment system designs, and validate key aspects of vehicle performance through analysis and hardware correlation.  This is a unique opportunity to shape the dynamic behavior of a new aerospace vehicle from early concept through qualification and production. You will be a key member of the Mechanical team, reporting to the Director of Mechanical.  Key Responsibilities  Own development of vehicle loads, structural dynamics, and multibody dynamics analyses from early architecture through hardware realization  Define and mature load cases and dynamic environments, including launch, shock, vibration, separation, deployment, and other transient mechanical events  Develop and maintain multibody dynamics models to evaluate separation events and other critical mechanism-driven vehicle behaviors  Partner closely with structures and mechanisms engineers to translate dynamic analysis results into design requirements, sizing inputs, interface loads, and architecture decisions  Support development of structural dynamics models, including modal characterization, transient response, and dynamic load prediction for flight hardware  Drive dynamic trade studies to evaluate mechanism architecture, deployment performance, structural response, and system sensitivity under uncertain and evolving design conditions  Help define test objectives, instrumentation needs, and correlation plans for mechanism, structural, and dynamic development tests  Correlate simulation results to test data and refine models, assumptions, and design recommendations based on hardware learnings  Present analysis progress, technical risks, and recommended paths forward in design reviews and cross-functional program forums  Operate effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous development environment, balancing model fidelity, engineering judgment, and schedule needs  Required Qualifications  Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, a related field, or equivalent technical experience  Typically 5+ years of professional experience in loads, structural dynamics, multibody dynamics, or related analysis for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications  Strong fundamentals in rigid-body dynamics, structural dynamics, vibration, transient response, and mechanical system behavior  Experience developing and applying multibody dynamics models for mechanisms, deployment systems, separation events, or other complex dynamic hardware  Experience defining and evaluating mechanical loads and dynamic environments for flight hardware or other high-consequence systems  Familiarity with finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, FEMAP, or equivalent, with emphasis on modal, transient, and dynamic structural analysis  Experience with multibody dynamics tools such as ANSYS Motion, Adams, RecurDyn, Simpack, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar  Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with design, structures, manufacturing, and test teams to turn analysis into sound hardware decisions  Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills  Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment  Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.  Desired Qualifications  Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, a related field, or equivalent experience  Experience owning both loads / structural dynamics and multibody dynamics analysis for a vehicle or mechanism development program  Experience with deployment mechanisms, separation systems, release events, or payload delivery systems  Experience generating design loads and dynamic requirements used to size structures, mechanisms, and interfaces  Experience supporting test planning, instrumentation definition, model correlation, and post-test analysis  Experience in the design, analysis, or test of qualified flight hardware  Experience working on first-of-kind or highly integrated aerospace systems in an ambiguous, fast-moving development environment  Experience scripting or automating analysis workflows using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools    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 $137,000 - $193,000.  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.     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.