Staff Weld 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 Weld engineer to lead the manufacturing and assembly of cutting-edge turbomachinery that will be utilized to build Thermal01. In this role, you will own weld quality, process development, and field execution for our process piping systems ensuring every joint meets the rigorous standards our technology demands. You will work directly with our engineering team to develop and qualify weld procedures, support field operations, and uphold ASME code compliance across all fabrication and installation activities. We are a team that values first-principles thinking, hands-on problem solving, and close cross-functional collaboration to deliver cohesive, high-performance systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and optimize welding procedures (WPS/PQR) for GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW processes across various materials, including stainless steel, carbon steel, and high-temperature alloys.

• Partner with design engineers to review blueprints, joint designs, and weld symbols, ensuring hardware assemblies are optimized for fabrication, thermal distortion control, and non-destructive testing (NDT).

• Serve as the subject matter expert for industrial welding codes, ensuring all structural and pressure-retaining fabrications comply with ASME Section IX and AWS D1.1 standards.

• Define inspection criteria and coordinate non-destructive testing methodologies (including VT, PT, MT, and RT) to ensure zero-defect production of high-pressure hardware.

• Support and guide the weld technician team, assist with welder performance qualifications (WPQ), and troubleshoot complex fabrication challenges on the shop floor.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience as a welding engineer in an aerospace, industrial OEM, defense, or heavy equipment manufacturing environment.

• Deep working knowledge and direct experience applying ASME Section IX and AWS D1.1 standards.

• Strong understanding of metallurgy, heat-affected zones (HAZ), thermal expansion, and distortion control in welded assemblies.

• A proactive, high-agency engineer who enjoys spending time on the production floor solving practical hardware challenges alongside technicians.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) designation.

• Experience engineering fabrication processes for supercritical fluid loops, high-pressure heat exchangers, or cryogenic systems.

• Familiarity with modern non-destructive evaluation methods, including phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) or radiographic interpretation.

• Experience designing custom weld fixtures or implementing automated/orbital welding systems for repetitive high-precision piping runs.

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.

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