Senior Propulsion R&D Technician

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. Position Overview:  The Propulsion and Energetics team create the hardware that facilitates high maneuverability on-orbit and in the upper atmosphere. As a Senior Propulsion R&D Technician, you will be responsible for enabling rapid production and testing of propulsion hardware by ensuring high quality at every step of the development process.   You will collaborate with propulsion engineers to design and execute the procedures for metrology, metallography, inspection, assembly, integration, and testing necessary to demonstrate a design or technology is capable of our goals. This role is multidisciplinary and necessitates troubleshooting and autonomous operations with different kinds of systems. The ideal candidate is a quick learner, hands-on, flexible, has a good attitude, works well in a fast-paced environment, and is skilled with test equipment, instrumentation, and mechanical systems.  Key Responsibilities:  Collaborate with propulsion engineers to aid the development of new hardware  Build and test propulsion hardware such as components, actuators, and engines  Perform pneumatic and hydraulic pressure testing of various propulsion components  Perform metallography including preparation (grind, polish, etch, mount), inspection (microscope, XRF/SEM/CT analysis), and testing (tensile, hardness) with applicable devices  Execute experiments, analyze data, and develop processes for optimizing additive manufacturing  Maintain cleanliness and organization in the shop  Required Qualifications:  Must have the ab...