Senior Mechanical Engineer

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Wage

$137,000 – $193,000/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

Apply for This Position

Posted on September 2, 2026

Job Description

Overview

Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space, aiming to make Earth more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for the development of mission-critical hardware for reentry vehicles.

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop flight-critical mechanical systems from concept through flight qualification.
  • Lead mechanical design of subsystem integration and vehicle packaging.
  • Perform detailed structural and thermal analysis to validate designs against hypersonic and spaceflight environments.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive test campaigns including functional and environmental qualification testing.
  • Create detailed engineering drawings, assembly procedures, interface control documents, and design specifications.
  • Work hands-on with manufacturing and integration teams to build and troubleshoot hardware.
  • Drive design reviews and present technical trade studies.
  • Coordinate with suppliers and vendors for custom component procurement.
  • Support vehicle integration activities and provide technical expertise during assembly, test, and launch operations.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Typically 5+ years of professional experience developing hardware for aerospace or defense applications.
  • Strong mechanical design skills with proficiency in 3D CAD software.
  • Hands-on experience with structural and thermal analysis using FEA tools.
  • Demonstrated ability designing for harsh environments including vacuum and extreme temperatures.
  • Deep understanding of mechanical systems including mechanisms and material properties.
  • Familiarity with environmental testing and qualification programs for spaceflight hardware.
  • Proficiency creating detailed engineering drawings with GD&T.
  • 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.

Additional Information

  • The office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA.
  • This position requires in office presence.

How this job compares in Los Angeles, CA

Pay in context

At roughly $79/hr, this posting sits about 98% above the $40/hr median for welding jobs in Los Angeles, CA — toward the top of a $30–$57/hr middle band drawn from 73 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 95% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Los Angeles, CA

We're tracking 101 other active welding openings in Los Angeles, CA right now, from 61 different employers. 45 of them were added in the last week. Across California as a whole we're tracking 625 other active welding openings from 304 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Los Angeles, or widen the search to California.

Inversion currently has 2 other openings live in California, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in California at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are SpaceX (31), Aerotek (16), and Volt (16). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within California, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Redondo Beach at $51/hr, Santa Ana at $48/hr, and Long Beach at $40/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Los Angeles, CA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Senior Mechanical Engineer figures were last recalculated when this page was built.