Test & Development 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.

Test & Development Engineer

Karman Industries is seeking a motivated Test & Development Engineer to support the development of the next generation of electric heat pumps for industrial process heat electrification. The ideal candidate will contribute to the design, analysis, and testing of mechanical and thermal systems within the Thermal01 heat pump platform and future product lines.

This role requires technical ownership spanning structural, thermal, and turbomachinery hardware. You will drive product testing for individual components up to full industrial scale system validation. 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

• Design and build test fixtures, tooling, & electromechanical systems

• Hands on assembly, troubleshooting and operation of first of kind thermal systems

• Creation and maintenance of accurate documentation of test methods and data

• Implementation of testing software for automated testing and logging of high energy systems

• Understand performance requirements, expected system behaviors and assist in troubleshooting and qualification of new designs

• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities

• Provide feedback to product engineering teams and participate in design reviews, process hazard analyses, and test campaign planning

• Foster a strong safety culture, enforce safety standards, and generate HAZOP analyses

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a product development or test role

• Familiarity with mechanical & electrical control equipment

• Working experience of PLC controls, open and closed loop controls, preventative/corrective maintenance tasks, & calibration of plant instrumentation

• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment

• Ability to solve problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules

• Must be able to work with limited documentation

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher in a related field

• Experience in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools, preferably Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent.

• Experience with turbomachinery, heat exchangers, pressurized hardware, or high-temperature fluid systems.

• Familiarity with instrumentation, sensors, and testing of thermal or mechanical systems

• Strong desire to learn, take initiative, and grow into technical ownership roles as the company scales

• Able to lift to 50 lbs

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.