Technician - Mechanical

Karman Industries; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) plan

Job summary

Karman Industries is seeking a Mechanical Technician to build and test supercritical CO₂ rotating machinery, cryogenic heat exchangers and compressor systems on-site in Signal Hill, CA. You will assemble from drawings, work with engineers and machinists, and help establish repeatable processes for our growing factory.

The role requires 3+ years in mechanical assembly, GD&T reading skills, and careful documentation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus related technical training or experience.
• 3+ years of mechanical assembly in aerospace or precision manufacturing.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, schematics and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, align and disassemble components to drawings and build travelers.
• Set up tools, torque devices and precision measurement instruments.
• Support leak, pressure and functional testing of hardware.
• Inspect parts, document results and flag nonconformances.
• Record serial numbers, torque values and traceability data.
• Provide feedback to engineers on design and process improvements.
• Maintain clean, safe work area and comply with EHS procedures.
• Assist with facility and equipment bring-up as assembly scales.

Skills

Reading drawings

GD&T knowledge

Attention to detail

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Trade certificate or technical training

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Torque tools

Lifting equipment

Job description

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.


• Long-term incentives, in the form of stock options


• Access to medical, vision & dental coverage


• 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.