Senior Mechanical Engineer

Karman Industries

Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Gardena, 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.

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Karman Industries is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of the next generation of electric heat pumps for industrial process heat electrification. The successful candidate will own the design, analysis, and qualification of mechanical and thermal systems for the Thermal01 heat pump and future product lines.

This role requires broad technical ownership spanning structural, thermal, and turbomachinery hardware. You will drive all phases of product development—from conceptual design and analysis through prototyping, testing, and production. 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:

Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to design and develop all aspects of Karman’s heat pump systems.

Ownership of critical hardware, components and responsibility for every aspect of the design. Demonstrate ownership including manufacturing and assembly of early prototypes.

Mechanical system expertise across the entire development cycle: Drive system architecture, define requirements, prototyping & testing, manufacturing support

Develop analytical, physics based first principles models to determine hardware performance and limitations.

Create and manage complex CAD assemblies and detailed designs for both prototype and production hardware

Analyze and implement compliance and certification requirements for industrial deployment

Closely partner with internal manufacturing team and external partners to rapidly iterate and ensure efficient build of systems and components

Ensure designs meet performance targets, cost objectives, and program schedules

Apply creativity and critical thinking to develop novel solutions and challenge conventional approaches

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace, physics or related discipline

3+ years of experience in the design of mechanical hardware, components, or systems

Strong proficiency in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), preferably Siemens NX or similar

Deep understanding of mechanical fundamentals, including materials, manufacturing methods, structural analysis, and testing

In depth hands-on experience developing hardware as part of a professional role, project team, or personal project

Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities with excellent communication skills

Desired Skills and Experience:

Master's or higher degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Familiarity with turbomachinery design, analysis, and testing

Experience with finite element analysis using Ansys, Abaqus, NASTRAN or equivalent tools

Proficiency in Python or other programming languages

Experience with permanent magnet motors and high-speed motor control, including instrumentation and control systems

Knowledge of steam or other high-temperature, high-pressure fluid systems, with the ability to analyze and design from first principles

Demonstrated ability to take products or projects from conception through to manufacturing and final operation

Familiarity with manufacturing environments, including hands-on assembly, process development, and design for manufacturability.

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.