About this role
About Karman Industries
Karman builds clean-energy turbomachinery: supercritical CO₂ rotating machinery, cryogenic heat exchangers and compressor systems. We are aerospace, energy, transportation and manufacturing engineers working to transform how the world generates heat, so industry can prosper while the planet is protected. Our core values are Extreme Ownership, Performance Excellence, Radical Transparency and Customer Centricity. This role is on-site in Signal Hill, CA.
Role Summary
Karman is hiring a Mechanical Technician to build and test our hardware. You will assemble supercritical CO₂ rotating machinery, cryogenic heat exchangers and compressor systems, working from drawings and build travelers alongside manufacturing engineers, machinists and welders. You will help turn first builds into a repeatable process as we stand up our factory. This role is on-site and reports into Manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Assemble, align and disassemble mechanical components, subassemblies and complete machines to drawings, specifications and build travelers.
- Set up and use hand tools, torque tools, lifting equipment, fixtures and precision measurement tools (micrometers, indicators, calipers, height gauges).
- Support leak, pressure and functional testing, and help prepare hardware for test.
- Inspect parts on receipt and during assembly, and flag nonconformances to engineering and quality.
- Record build data accurately: serial numbers, torque values, measurements and traceability records.
- Give feedback to engineers on design, tooling and process improvements, and help write and improve work instructions.
- Keep your work area clean, organized and safe, and follow all EHS procedures.
- Support facility and equipment bring-up as we expand assembly and test capacity.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent, plus a trade certificate or technical training in a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of mechanical assembly experience in aerospace, turbomachinery, energy, automotive or similar precision manufacturing.
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, schematics and basic GD&T.
- Skilled with hand tools, torque tools and precision measurement tools.
- Careful, detail-oriented and committed to documentation and quality.
- Able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on the shop floor for extended periods.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience assembling rotating machinery, bearings, seals, pumps, compressors or turbines.
- Experience with cryogenic, high-pressure or vacuum systems, and leak testing.
- Experience with cranes, hoists and rigging.
- Familiarity with ERP or MES systems and electronic build records.
- Experience in a startup or early-stage manufacturing 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.
Compensation
Hourly Rate $30 – $60 per hour