Director of Engineering, Manufacturing

Posted today

inversion spacePlaya Vista (CA)

Industrial Production Managers Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing

SENIORITY

Manager

SALARY

$175,000 - $244,000 per year

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About the role

Director Of Engineering, Manufacturing Playa Vista, California, United States 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.

Position Overview: We are seeking a Director of Engineering, Manufacturing to own all manufacturing at Inversion. This leader will be responsible for the full manufacturing ecosystem across the company — including precision machining, harnessing, mechanical assembly, and parachute systems. You will build and scale a world-class aerospace manufacturing organization that is efficient, cost-effective, quality-driven, and capable of supporting flight hardware at increasing production rates. You will drive operational excellence, production planning, workforce scaling, capital strategy, and process optimization across all manufacturing disciplines. This role reports directly to executive leadership and will be a core member of the company's technical leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Strategy & Scale
Transition programs from development to repeatable production
Define make vs. buy strategy across all subsystems
Drive capacity planning, rate readiness, and production forecasting
Operational Excellence
Establish lean manufacturing systems across machining, avionics, harnessing, and parachutes
Reduce cycle time, improve yield, and optimize throughput
Implement KPIs for safety, quality, cost, and delivery
Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions
Machine Shop & Fabrication
Oversee precision CNC machining operations (5-axis capability)
Ensure alignment between manufacturing engineering and shop floor execution
Drive programming standards, tooling strategy, and fixture optimization
Avionics & Harness Manufacturing
Implement scalable harness fabrication processes with strong QA controls
Improve repeatability and documentation for flight hardware
Parachutes & Soft Goods Manufacturing
Develop production and inspection standards for parachute systems
Ensure quality and traceability for critical recovery hardware
Build scalable soft goods manufacturing capability
People & Leadership
Build and lead a high-performing manufacturing organization
Develop frontline leaders and technical experts
Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and urgency
Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Flight Operations
Infrastructure & Capital
Define capital equipment strategy and facility layout
Support facility expansion planning
Implement MRP/ERP and production tracking systems

Required Qualifications:

10+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, including leadership roles
Proven experience scaling hardware production from prototype to flight or production rate
Deep understanding of machining, assembly, and aerospace quality standards
Experience overseeing cross-functional manufacturing disciplines (electrical + mechanical)
Strong background in lean manufacturing and process optimization
Experience building organizations from the ground upFamiliarity with aerospace regulatory and quality frameworks
Ability to operate in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities

Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience in launch vehicles, spacecraft, re-entry systems, or high-reliability aerospace hardware
Experience standing up new manufacturing facilities
Advanced engineering degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related field)

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $175,000 - $244,000 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. Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.

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