Mechanical Engineer

Karman Industries • Los Angeles, CA

10d • $70,000 - $160,000

About The Position

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

The role spans structural, thermal, and turbomachinery hardware and covers product development from conceptual design and analysis through prototyping, testing, and production. The team emphasizes first-principles thinking, hands-on problem solving, and close cross-functional collaboration to deliver cohesive, high-performance systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience in mechanical hardware or system design; professional work, internships, or project experience may qualify.
• Proficiency in CAD tools, preferably Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of mechanical fundamentals, including materials, manufacturing processes, structural mechanics, and thermal/fluid principles.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical prototyping, testing, or fabrication through coursework, labs, or personal projects.
• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Highly self-motivated and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) using Ansys, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar tools.
• Exposure to turbomachinery, heat exchangers, or high-temperature fluid systems.
• Basic proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data analysis or automation.
• Familiarity with instrumentation, sensors, and testing of thermal or mechanical systems.
• Understanding of design for manufacturability and experience in a prototype or production environment.
• Strong desire to learn, take initiative, and grow into technical ownership roles as the company scales.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and development of components and subsystems for Karman’s industrial heat pump systems.
• Create detailed CAD models, assemblies, and drawings for prototype and production hardware.
• Support prototype builds, including hands-on assembly, instrumentation, and test setup.
• Assist in performing structural, thermal, and fluid analyses using analytical and numerical methods.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system requirements and integrate hardware designs.
• Participate in design reviews, testing, and documentation to ensure system performance and reliability.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to support fabrication, machining, and component qualification.
• Apply first-principles thinking and creative problem-solving to overcome design challenges.

Benefits

• Long-term incentives in the form of stock options may be available to full-time hires.
• Medical coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level