Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Machining

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 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

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.