Senior Thermal Systems Engineer

Karman Industries • Los Angeles, CA

7d • $125,000 - $175,000

About The Position

Karman Industries is seeking a Senior Thermal Systems Engineer to help develop and optimize next-generation thermal management systems and turbomachinery solutions. The role serves as a technical subject matter expert, collaborating with Engineering and Product Development to define system requirements, develop solutions, and advance heat pump and other turbomachinery technologies.

The engineer will develop tailored system-level solutions that meet technical and performance objectives, applying first-principles thermal engineering to conceptualize, size, model, and evaluate systems. The position requires understanding Karman heat pump products and their integration with heat exchangers, air coolers, and other thermal equipment, and communicating technical information to varied stakeholders. The role also produces engineering documentation, manages concurrent projects under tight deadlines, and works with internal teams and external partners to support successful project execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in energy systems, thermal systems engineering, or process engineering.
• Proficiency in techno-economic modeling and system design tools.
• High familiarity with thermo-mechanical equipment, including pumps, heat exchangers, air coolers, refrigeration systems, turbomachinery, and associated thermal management systems used in industrial applications.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer fundamentals.
• Experience with heat exchanger design, selection, and performance analysis.
• Experience with air-cooled heat exchanger systems and finned-tube technology.
• Experience with programming languages such as Python and MatLab-SimScape for engineering modeling or data analysis.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into innovative engineered solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce professional-grade engineering documentation.
• Self-starter with strong project management skills and ability to handle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Master's degree or higher in Mechanical, Process, or Energy Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical subject matter expert in thermal systems design and turbomachinery integration.
• Identify, ideate, and develop thermal management and process integration concepts.
• Evaluate and optimize system-level solutions using engineering judgment and analytical tools.
• Use and contribute to Karman's proprietary software to assess system performance and feasibility.
• Develop technical specifications, performance analyses, and design documentation.
• Create conceptual design packages, including process flow diagrams, preliminary equipment sizing, equipment lists, and system layouts.
• Prepare cost estimates and project schedules for proposed designs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on product development and system optimization initiatives.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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