Senior Dynamics Engineer

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. 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   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 basi