Lead Turbomachinery Engineer - Design the Core Power System for Next-Generation Energy Hardware
Hawthorne, CA | On-site
Opportunity Summary
Join a venture-backed energy technology company developing advanced power generation systems designed to meet growing global energy demands. This role will lead the aerodynamic design and performance development of the rotating machinery at the heart of a new power conversion platform, helping move the technology from concept through testing and production. Working directly with the founding engineering team, you will drive compressor and turbine design, influence system architecture, support hardware validation, and help establish the engineering processes needed to scale a complex hardware program. This is a highly technical role that combines first-principles analysis, hands-on development, and rapid iteration within an early-stage environment.
About Us
We are an early-stage energy technology company focused on developing advanced power generation and conversion systems for future energy infrastructure. Backed by experienced engineers and operators, the team is building complex hardware platforms that require deep expertise across turbomachinery, power systems, manufacturing, and testing. With active development programs underway and significant technical milestones ahead, this is an opportunity to contribute to foundational technology at a critical stage of growth.
Job Duties
Lead aerodynamic design and development of compressors and turbines from initial sizing through detailed analysis and optimization
Perform and oversee meanline, streamline, and CFD-based aerodynamic design activities
Own performance prediction across design-point and off-design operating conditions
Drive turbomachinery designs toward production-ready configurations in collaboration with mechanical, thermal, and structural engineering teams
Incorporate bearing, sealing, rotordynamic, and system-level constraints into rotating hardware designs
Support prototype assembly, testing, data analysis, and design iteration efforts
Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure designs are practical and producible
Develop engineering methodologies, design standards, and technical processes as the organization grows
Mentor engineers and contribute to hiring and team development efforts
Support long-term product development strategy and future hardware scaling initiatives
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
Experience designing and analyzing turbomachinery, including compressors, turbines, turbopumps, turboexpanders, turbochargers, or similar rotating equipment
Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery aerodynamics
Experience balancing aerodynamic performance with structural, thermal, manufacturing, and system-level requirements
Proficiency with CFD analysis and turbomachinery design tools
Experience using modern CAD platforms for mechanical design and development
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, hands-on engineering environment
Preferred Experience
Experience with advanced working fluids or real-gas turbomachinery systems
Design of high-speed radial compressors and turbines
Structural and thermal analysis of rotating hardware using FEA or related tools
Detailed mechanical design of turbomachinery components through released hardware
Familiarity with manufacturing methods for rotating machinery and high-temperature materials
Experience taking turbomachinery hardware from design through testing and validation
Technical leadership, mentoring, or team-building experience
Startup or early-stage hardware development experience
Why Join Us
Join a venture-backed company tackling one of the most challenging problems in energy and power generation
Own a critical portion of the product architecture and technical roadmap
Work directly with experienced founders and senior engineering leaders
Significant technical autonomy and influence on product direction
Meaningful equity ownership
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Fully stocked kitchen with snacks, coffee, and lunch
Opportunity to help build and shape a growing engineering organization