Principal Turbomachinery Engineer

Principal Turbomachinery Engineer – Lead the development of next-generation power systems from first principles

Hawthorne, CA | On-site

Opportunity Summary

We are a venture-backed, early-stage energy startup building advanced turbine systems designed to meet the growing demand for efficient and scalable power. The team is rethinking how rotating machinery is designed, developed, and deployed, with a focus on modern engineering approaches and rapid iteration. This role is a core technical leadership position working directly alongside the founding team. You will take ownership of turbomachinery architecture, drive design decisions, and lead development from initial concept through testing and validation. This is a hands-on opportunity to shape both the product and the engineering foundation of the company.

About Us

We are a small, highly technical team backed by early-stage investors and led by engineers with deep experience in rotating machinery design and development. Our focus is on building high-performance energy systems that address current infrastructure challenges while enabling future power solutions. The team operates with a strong emphasis on speed, ownership, and real-world validation.

Job Duties

Lead the design and development of high-speed rotating machinery from concept through validated hardware
Perform and guide analysis across aerodynamics, thermal systems, structural integrity, and rotordynamics
Own detailed mechanical design including CAD modeling, material selection, and design for manufacturing and assembly
Develop and iterate on prototypes, including building and supporting test infrastructure
Analyze test data to inform design improvements and accelerate development cycles
Work closely with founders and cross-functional partners to define system architecture and engineering strategy
Collaborate with external vendors and manufacturing partners to deliver reliable hardware under aggressive timelines
Establish engineering processes that support rapid iteration and scalable product development

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
5+ years of experience working with turbomachinery or similar rotating systems such as turbines, compressors, or turbopumps
Strong foundation in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and mechanical system design
Experience with CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or similar platforms
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced startup environment with high ownership
Clear communication skills and ability to work across technical and non-technical teams

Preferred Experience

Experience with supercritical CO2 or other advanced thermodynamic cycles
Proven track record of taking rotating machinery from early design through testing and validation
Background in developing custom test rigs or experimental hardware setups
Familiarity with high-temperature materials and manufacturing processes
Prior experience at an early-stage or venture-backed company
Experience integrating simulation and analysis tools into iterative hardware development workflows

Why Join Us

Meaningful equity ownership in an early-stage company
Opportunity to work directly with technical founders on core product decisions
High level of ownership and impact across both engineering and company direction
Exposure to full lifecycle hardware development from concept through deployment

Compensation Details

$175,000 - $250,000

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