Staff Mechanical Engineer, Turbomachinery

About the Company

Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Signal Hill, California, Karman Industries is at the forefront of revolutionizing industrial thermal energy. Our mission is to electrify global thermal systems across data centers, manufacturing, and energy industries through our revolutionary Heat Processing Unit (HPU).

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, and analysis of high-speed turbomachinery components including compressors, turbine/expander stages, volutes/diffusers, seals, and bearing systems
• Develop aerodynamic and thermodynamic models to predict performance, efficiency, and operability
• Perform rotor dynamic and structural analyses to ensure high-speed system stability and reliability
• Own turbomachinery integration into the overall heat processing system
• Create and manage complex CAD assemblies and detailed engineering drawings
• Lead and support test campaigns, including instrumentation planning and data analysis
• Guide suppliers and internal manufacturing teams in fabrication, balancing, and assembly
• Ensure designs meet performance targets, cost objectives, and reliability standards

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in end-to-end turbomachinery design, analysis, and testing
• Strong proficiency with CAD tools such as Siemens NX
• Knowledge of aerodynamic design principles, rotor dynamics, and turbomachinery thermodynamics
• Hands-on experience building, assembling, or testing rotating hardware
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and tolerancing

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• 8+ years of relevant experience
• Direct experience with turbomachinery CFD, 1D cycle modeling, and performance simulation tools
• Proficiency with FEA tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or NASTRAN
• Knowledge of high-temperature, high-pressure fluid systems or thermodynamic cycle optimization
• Experience with high-speed electric motors, magnetic bearings, or permanent-magnet machine integration
• Programming experience in Python for analysis or automation workflows

Benefits

• Long-term incentives in the form of stock options
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan