Karman Industries
Karman Industries is a Torrance-based thermal technology company building the backbone for giga-scale AI infrastructure. Founded by a team from SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and GE, Karman is moving beyond legacy cooling with the launch of the HPU (Heat Processing Unit) - a new category of thermal architecture designed for the 100kW+ rack era.
The HPU shrinks the exterior mechanical yard by up to 80% while reducing peak energy consumption by 10%+. Unlike traditional systems, the Karman HPU provides zero-water (WUE 0) cooling that ensures high-TDP GPUs and HBM4 memory stay at optimal thermal setpoints without throttling.
Founded in 2024, we’re a fast-growing team of passionate professionals dedicated to making a tangible impact on the future of humanity. We design, build, and test real hardware, and we lead with ownership: you’ll own your work from concept to hardware and help shape how we scale. Our values are Ownership, Performance Excellence, Radical Transparency, and Customer-Centricity.
Join us in our mission to transform the industry and contribute to a more sustainable world.
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Machining
We are seeking a Machining Engineer to help build out and scale our in-house CNC machining capability as we bring precision-machined components - rotor hardware, casings, and structural parts for our supercritical CO₂ turbomachinery - from prototype into repeatable 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:
- Own the strategy and execution of machine shop development, establishing best-in-class machining processes, equipment standards, workforce requirements, and production systems to create a scalable, high-performance manufacturing operation
- Own DFM (design for manufacturability) feedback loops with design engineering - flag GD&T, datum structure, and tolerance issues before they become production problems
- Help troubleshoot/drive programs, set up, and CNC processes (mills, lathes, multi-axis) for low-volume, high-mix production
- Create process plans, standard operating procedures, inspection plans, and work-holding designs for precision-machined components
- Investigate non-conforming hardware, drive root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
- Help select and qualify new machine tools, tooling, and metrology equipment as the shop scales
Required Qualifications:
- B.S. in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent hands-on experience
- 5+ years in machining or manufacturing engineering, ideally with rotating equipment, aerospace, or high-precision hardware
- Working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Comfort reading complex engineering drawings with limited upfront documentation
Preferred Qualifications:
- CAD/CAM proficiency (Siemens NX, Mastercam, or similar)
- Experience with fixture design and metrology/dimensional inspection
- Experience with impeller manufacturing and large Vertical Turning Lathe (VTL) machining operations, including process development, tooling, fixturing, and inspection of large, high-precision components
- Background in cryogenic or high-pressure hardware
- Lean/continuous improvement experience in a startup or scale-up environment
Role level to be determined during interview process
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.