Senior Thermal Systems Engineer

Karman Industries

Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Gardena, 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 turbo machinery 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.

Karman Industries is seeking a highly motivated Senior Thermal Systems Engineer to join our team and contribute to the development and optimization of next-generation thermal management systems and turbo machinery solutions. This role functions as a technical subject matter expert, working in close collaboration with the Engineering and Product Development teams to define system requirements, develop innovative solutions, and advance the state-of-the-art in heat pump and other turbo machinery technologies.

The Thermal Systems Engineer is responsible for ideating and developing tailored, system-level solutions that align with both technical and performance objectives. This involves leveraging first-principles thermal engineering to conceptualize, size, model, and evaluate systems that meet demanding application requirements. A deep understanding of Karman's heat pump products, including their features, performance characteristics, and integration with heat exchangers, air coolers, and other thermal equipment, is essential.

The engineer must be able to clearly articulate these elements to both technical and non-technical stakeholders and apply this knowledge effectively across diverse applications. Additionally, the role involves producing high-quality engineering documentation, managing multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines, and collaborating with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful project execution.

• Serve as a technical subject matter expert in thermal systems design and turbo machinery integration

• Identify, ideate, and develop innovative thermal management and process integration concepts

• Evaluate and optimize system-level solutions using engineering judgment and analytical tools

• Utilize 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 design documents such as PFDs (Process Flow Diagrams), preliminary equipment sizing, equipment lists, and system layouts

    • Cost estimates and project schedules for proposed designs

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on product development and system optimization initiatives

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline

• At least 5 years of experience working in energy systems, thermal systems engineering, or process engineering

• Proficiency in techno-economic modeling and system design tools

• High familiarity with thermo-mechanical equipment such as pumps, heat exchangers, air coolers, refrigeration systems, turbo machinery, and associated thermal management systems used in industrial applications

• 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 Mat Lab-Sim Scape for engineering modeling or data analysis

• Demonstrated 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; capable of handling multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced…