Turbomachinery Aerodynamicist
$125,000–$225,000 year
On-siteLos Angeles, California, United States
Job Summary
Design and optimize compressor impellers, diffusers, and related flow paths to meet performance targets. Perform CFD simulations for steady and unsteady flow, then develop and maintain 1D mean-line performance models. Automate evaluation workflows and support testing to validate aerodynamic and mechanical performance. Correlate experimental results with analytical predictions to improve design tools and modeling accuracy. Collaborate with the mechanical design team to ensure structural integrity and manufacturability while maintaining a stable codebase using Git workflows. This role focuses on high-speed turbomachinery systems for Karman Industries' revolutionary Heat Processing Unit, which aims to reduce energy consumption in data center thermal management by over 25%.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering (or related field)
- M.S. or Ph.D.
- Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, especially compressible flow
- Experience with design, analysis, and performance map modeling of centrifugal compressors in high-speed turbomachinery
- Ability to write 1D mean-line performance models in modern programming languages and integrate third party APIs and libraries
- Proficient with CFD tools (ANSYS CFX preferred) and CAD (NX preferred)
- 3+ years in turbomachinery aerodynamic design
Desired Qualifications
- Familiarity with multi-stage compressor systems and system-level simulation and integration
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a first-principles, physics-based approach
- Ability to interpret complex flow fields and system-level interactions
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally
- Familiarity designing compression or expansion systems with supercritical or transcritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid
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