Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Turbomachinery

About

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. Karman is developing the revolutionary Heat Processing Unit (HPU) to reinvent thermal handling for giga-scale data centers & AI factories. The HPU is built around a supercritical CO2 chiller system utilizing a high-speed electrically driven turbomachinery core. Our system aims to reduce energy consumption in data center thermal management by greater than 25% and increase energy density by 10x.

At Karman Industries, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where innovation thrives. Our team is composed of passionate professionals dedicated to making a tangible impact on the future of industrial manufacturing. Join us in our mission to transform the industry and contribute to a more sustainable world.

Job Description:

We are seeking a Turbomachinery Manufacturing Engineer to own the build process for the rotating equipment at the core of our supercritical CO₂ systems — from rotor assembly through balancing, clearance checks, and final proof. We are a team that values first-principles thinking, hands-on problem solving, and close cross-functional collaboration to deliver cohesive, high-performance systems.

Responsibilities:

• Own manufacturing and assembly processes for rotating hardware: rotor balancing, interference fits, clearance checks, structural proofing, and leak checks

• Develop and refine fabrication, assembly, and test procedures for turbopump/compressor subassemblies

• Partner directly with design engineering to resolve manufacturability issues on high-speed rotating components

• Design and specify assembly tooling — from concept through detailed drawings and analysis

• Serve as a main point of contact between design and manufacturing as we optimize turbomachinery architecture and scale operations

• Drive root cause investigations on assembly or test failures and implement fixes that hold up at rate

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field, 5+ years relevant experience

• Direct experience with turbomachinery or rotating equipment assembly procedures, including rotor balancing, interference fits, clearance checks, structural proofing, and leak checks

• Experience with tolerance stack-up analysis, structural proof testing, and pressurized leak checks

• Experience with tooling design, including conceptualization, modeling and drafting, and detailed analysis

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with cryogenic or supercritical fluid systems

• Proficiency in Siemens NX or other CAD

• Knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and industry specifications

• Experience in a startup or agile development environment

• Background in a flight-hardware or high-reliability development program

Role level to be determined during interview process

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k)-retirement plan.

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.