Head of Communications

Karman Industries
Karman Industries is a Torrance-based thermal technology company building the backbone for giga-scale AI infrastructure. Founded by a team from SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and GE, Karman is moving beyond legacy cooling with the launch of the HPU (Heat Processing Unit)—a new category of thermal architecture designed for the 100kW+ rack era.

The HPU shrinks the exterior mechanical yard by up to 80% while reducing peak energy consumption by 10%+. Unlike traditional systems, the Karman HPU provides zero-water (WUE 0) cooling that ensures high-TDP GPUs and HBM4 memory stay at optimal thermal setpoints without throttling.

Founded in 2024, we’re a fast-growing team of passionate professionals dedicated to making a tangible impact on the future of humanity. We design, build, and test real hardware, and we lead with ownership: you’ll own your work from concept to hardware and help shape how we scale. Our values are Ownership, Performance Excellence, Radical Transparency, and Customer-Centricity.

Join us in our mission to transform the industry and contribute to a more sustainable world.

Head of Communications

Karman Industries is seeking a Head of Communications to own our communications strategy from end to end, both inside and outside the company. At the pace we are growing, good communication will be one of our most valuable assets. This leader will make sure every member of our team knows where we are headed, and make sure customers, industry, investors, and government understand why Karman matters.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You will set the narrative, build the function from the ground up, and personally execute while the team is small. You will work directly with the executive team and partner closely with Engineering, Business Development, and Operations to turn technical progress into clear, compelling stories. We value clarity, speed, accountability, and first-principles thinking.

Responsibilities

Internal communications

• Own the internal communications strategy to ensure alignment on company direction weekly, monthly, and quarterly.

• Communicate company goals, priorities, and milestones for the coming years, and keep them visible and current as we scale.

• Establish effective operating rhythms such as all-hands meetings, leadership updates, and regular written communications to maintain rapid information flow across all functions.

External communications

• Lead all external communications with customers, industry, investors, and government at all levels.

• Develop and maintain compelling messaging, positioning, and brand identity for all audiences.

• Support investor relations with accurate, high-quality communications in collaboration with Finance and the executive team.

• Prepare materials and messaging for government and public-sector engagement at federal, state, and local levels.

• Build relationships with press, analysts, and industry influencers.

Marketing & Events

• Plan and execute company announcements, including product milestones, partnerships, funding, facilities, and hiring.

• Support our trade show and conference strategy, including selection, budget, booth and presence, and follow-up.

• Identify, secure and prepare executive speaking opportunities with talking points, presentations, and briefings.

• Lead marketing across web, content, collateral, video, and social channels.

• Translate complex technical topics (thermal systems, turbomachinery, data center efficiency) into accurate, accessible content for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Define success metrics, manage budget, and select and manage agencies, contractors, and vendors.

• Build and lead the communications team as the company grows.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• 10+ years of experience in marketing and communications, including leading corporate, external, and internal communications for a technology, industrial, energy, aerospace, or defense company.

• Proven track record owning communications end to end, including internal communications, press and media relations, announcements, and events.

• Experience planning and executing trade shows, conferences, and executive speaking engagements.

• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear, precise material quickly.

• Ability to learn complex technical subject matter and communicate it accurately to varied audiences.

• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment with minimal structure.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with executives, engineers, customers, and external partners.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.

• Experience in high-growth hardware, deep tech, or industrial startups.

• Background supporting investor relations, fundraising communications, or board material preparation.

• Experience working with government stakeholders or regulated industries.

• Knowledge or background in energy, thermal systems, data centers, or advanced manufacturing.

• Experience building marketing or communications teams from the ground up.

• Proficiency with branding, web, content, and social tools, CRM, and marketing analytics.

• Experience in crisis and executive communications.

Karman Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Karman Industries is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Direct applicants only — we are not working with outside recruiters or agencies for this role.