Senior Manufacturing Engineer

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 skilled and hands-on Manufacturing engineer to lead the manufacturing and assembly of cutting-edge turbomachinery that will be utilized to build Thermal01. This role is critical to establishing robust manufacturing capabilities, including equipment layout, process development, vendor selection, tooling selection, and workflow designs. 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

• Work cross-functionally with internal teams to develop manufacturing/build strategies and provide critical DFM/DFA feedback

• Create and maintain detailed process documentation: work instructions, setup sheets, torque specs, assembly BOMs, SOPs etc.

• Support engineers and technicians through hardware development, prototype builds and test campaigns.

• Partner with supply chain to procure engineered hardware, manage vendors, and contribute to program cost optimization.

• Design, develop, and manufacture ground support equipment that interfaces directly with Thermal01

• Lead facility layout development, including defining build cells, flow-of-material, test areas, equipment placement, and future scaling scenarios.

• Specify and procure tooling, fixturing, and gauging systems for both manufacturing and assembly processes.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for manufacturing areas, applying lean principles and ergonomic practices.

• Lead manufacturing readiness reviews.

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.

• 5+ years of industry experience in aerospace, defense, industrial or high-reliability industries.

• Deep experience with machining, 3D printing, welding/brazing, rotating equipment assembly, or high-pressure thermal systems.

• Strong understanding of GD&T, machining tolerances, and mechanical fit/function principles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in large integrated structures, thermal systems, turbomachinery, propulsion or power generation.

• Expertise in successfully taking products through development, testing, and production

• Familiarity with implementation of ERP/MES systems.

• Hands-on experience with running CNC equipment (e.g., Haas, Mazak, Okuma) and common shop tools.

• Proven experience setting up or reconfiguring a facility.

• Experience with tool and fixture design.

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.