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Inversion

Staff Optical Engineer

Inversion · Playa Vista, California, United States

Posted about 2 months ago · $161,000-$221,000

or apply directly on Inversion's site. We never take the application ourselves.

Is this posting real?

This role has been open
52 days
Inversion's roles stay open a median of 53 days
Reposted
No
Salary listed
Yes
89% of Inversion's roles list one
Ghost-job risk at Inversion
high
59 stale, 0 reposted of 76 open
Hiring momentum
86 roles opened in the last 90 days
↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
Last confirmed on the employer's board
2026-09-25

Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Inversion's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Inversion.

About this role

As a Staff Optical Engineer at Inversion, you will be responsible for the development and analysis of optical systems that support the company's advanced reentry vehicles. Your role will involve designing sensor windows and seeker architectures, performing optical analyses, and integrating optical hardware with various engineering teams. You will also evaluate optical materials and lead testing campaigns to ensure system performance in extreme environments.

Our read on this posting3.2out of 5
benefits
1/5
freshness
1/5
career value
4/5
role clarity
5/5
pay transparency
5/5

Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Inversion as an employer.

What you need

  • Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
  • Typically 9+ years of applicable experience designing, analyzing, and testing optical systems
  • Experience with imaging systems
  • Experience using optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, or equivalent software
  • Strong understanding of optical materials, coatings, sensor windows, and environmental effects on optical performance
  • Experience planning and performing optical bench or lab testing

Nice to have

  • Master’s degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
  • Experience with aerospace, spaceflight, hypersonic, or reentry optical systems
  • Experience with seeker design, boresight stability, MTF, radiometry, and stray light analysis
  • Experience developing and qualifying camera systems for harsh environments
  • Experience working directly with vendors to develop custom optical hardware

Worth weighing

  • Position requires in-office presence in Playa Vista, CA
  • Salary range provided but individual pay may vary based on multiple factors
  • U.S. citizenship or eligibility for ITAR compliance is required

Summarised from Inversion's posting. Read the full original.

Listed by Inversion on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-09-25. PitchMeAI is not the employer.

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