Manufacturing Engineer II
Inversion Space · Playa Vista, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $106k–$150k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Inversion Space (aerospace & defense) in Playa Vista, CA. Design, build, and proof-load assembly fixtures, tooling, and ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD.
- They ask for
- degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Root cause, GD&T, Tooling, CATIA / NX
- Base pay
- $106k–$150k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $114k–$167k. This one lists $106k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 117 live postings that list pay, out of 320 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 319 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 5% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $111k–$159k, from 104 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 53%
- ✓ New product launch 51%
- ✓ Root cause 40%
- Automation 35%
- Machining 29%
- ✓ CATIA / NX 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Inversion Space
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Inversion Space in Playa Vista
7 other open roles at this site.
- Hardware Test and Automation Engineer I · Controls
- Senior CNC Programmer · Manufacturing · Technician
- Electrical Test and Assembly Technician II · Reliability · Technician
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
- Senior Chemical Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Senior Tooling Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
Full description from Inversion SpaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Develop, optimize, and own the end-to-end vehicle assembly sequence, integration flow, and build plans for the Arc vehicle.
- ◆Create and execute detailed vehicle assembly sequences and integration plans for critical Arc subsystems.
- ◆Author, release, and maintain high-fidelity manufacturing work instructions, structural bonding procedures, and integration checklists.
- ◆Design, build, and proof-load assembly fixtures, tooling, and ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD.
- ◆Lead the disposition of floor non-conformances (MRB), perform rigorous root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for structural and mechanical integration issues.
- ◆Coordinate directly with centralized shops to schedule and execute part deliveries, structural bonding, mechanical fabrication, and subassembly integration.
- ◆Establish standard practices for precision mechanical joints, fasteners, adhesives, and critical interface alignments.
- ◆Execute subassembly and vehicle-level mass properties, alignment measurements, and system checkouts.
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
- ✓Typically 2 + years of hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing, hardware integration, structural assembly, or vehicle-level build environments.
- ✓Proven experience authoring detailed assembly procedures, managing build configurations, and driving floor execution.
- ✓Experience designing tooling, fixtures, or GSE in CAD (Siemens NX or equivalent) and applying standard GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
- ✓Direct experience with structural bonding, composite assembly, mechanical fastening, or thermal protection system (TPS) integration.
- ✓Familiarity with Material Review Board (MRB) processes, non-conformance tracking, and root-cause analysis.
- ✓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.
Qualifications
- ✓Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high-reliability aerospace hardware assembly.
- ✓Experience with aerospace cleaning, bonding preparations, and cleanroom operations.
- ✓Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, pyrotechnics installation, or flight avionics harnessing integration.
- ✓Familiarity with Thermal Protection System (TPS) manufacturing processes.
- ✓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 $106,000 - $150,000. 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.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Advanced Reentry Technologies
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.
Position Overview
As a Manufacturing Engineer at Inversion, you will report directly to the Manager of Arc Vehicle Integration & Test . In this role, you will build, integrate, and test critical subsystems for our Arc hypersonic reentry vehicle. You will own the transition of designs from the engineering team to the integration floor, developing build sequences, assembly procedures, and floor tooling. You will work cross-functionally with design engineers and floor technicians to execute physical integration, troubleshoot hardware anomalies in real-time, and ensure flight hardware meets strict quality and schedule milestones.
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 .