Jobs at Karman Space & Defense

Set up and operate CNC and shop equipment to fabricate space/defense parts to engineering drawings and STP files. Inspect parts, maintain quality, tooling, and shop cleanliness, and work with minimal supervision on a 4x10 shift.

Create manufacturing plans in EPICOR ERP for machined, composite, and assembly products; maintain BOMs; solicit supplier quotes and prepare purchase requisitions; track deliveries and on-time status; coordinate with manufacturing, purchasing, quality, program managers, and engineers to ensure accurate planning and resolve issues.

Design and develop aerospace/flight-worthy structures, mechanisms, and mechanical systems. Create 2D layouts and 3D models, perform engineering analysis, document requirements and tests, support manufacturing/QA, aid proposals, and mentor junior engineers.

Hands-on internship applying classroom knowledge to manufacturing, automation, quality, and engineering systems. Work on projects with operational impact, receive mentorship from aerospace engineering leaders, and gain exposure to modern manufacturing technologies in office and shop-floor environments.

Support program financial planning and reporting using Earned Value and related principles. Produce time-phased forecasts, EACs, variance analysis, risk/opportunity reporting, baseline maintenance, and PMR/QBR inputs. Support program managers, oversee a Financial Analyst, and ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations and contract deliverables.

Lead mechanical systems engineer responsible for project management and technical leadership across conceptual design, system development, prototype hardware design/fabrication, and testing. Supports proposals, client interactions, multi-discipline coordination, and ensures projects meet schedule, budget, and quality requirements.

Develop and document manufacturing processes for aerospace composite products, design tooling, oversee production, solve production issues, perform root cause analysis, support RFQs/RFIs, and liaise with customers and multidisciplinary teams to meet program requirements.

Lead site EHS strategy and programs, ensure regulatory compliance (Cal/OSHA, environmental regs), drive KPI improvements (TRIR, DART), conduct incident investigations, implement CAPAs, deliver training, mentor EHS staff, and support capital projects and emergency preparedness to foster a proactive safety culture.

Lead conceptualization, design, development, testing, and deployment of aerospace flight-worthy structures, mechanisms, and mechanical systems. Create 2D/3D models and drawings, perform and verify engineering calculations and analyses, document requirements and tests, support manufacturing/QA/assembly/testing, mentor junior engineers, and support proposals and business development.

Oversee financial and administrative operations including monthly close, cashflow, cost accounting, freight and inventory reconciliation, gross margin and variance analyses, budgeting/forecasting, ERP/HRIS optimization, and cross-functional pricing and profitability support to meet division revenue and margin targets.

Lead business development to grow sales of Karman's integrated technology system solutions across space, hypersonics, and defense. Own customer engagement, capture strategy, proposal management, CRM-driven forecasting, contract negotiations, and cross-functional product roadmap development to meet bookings, revenue, margin, and customer satisfaction targets.

Coordinate master production schedules and inventory; integrate sales orders with the master schedule; develop SIOP demand and capacity plans; negotiate with suppliers; maintain and revise distribution schedules; lead forecasting and planning meetings with sales, production, purchasing, and shipping; ensure materials, equipment, and staffing meet delivery dates.

Oversee end-to-end supply chain for aerospace components: procurement, inventory, logistics, supplier performance and audits, risk mitigation, reporting, staff supervision, and process documentation.

Lead corporate tax function for a publicly traded aerospace and defense company: manage ASC 740 income tax provisions and SEC reporting, federal/state/international compliance, transfer pricing, R&D incentives, FAR/CAS-related tax treatment, SOX controls, external advisors and audits, tax planning for M&A and cross-border operations, and present tax risk to executives and Audit Committee.

Support design-to-production transition by developing producible designs, creating BOMs and work instructions, designing fixtures/gages, supporting material planning, coordinating vendors, and monitoring fabrication and production processes.

Lead and operate the Portland manufacturing site, driving operational excellence, safety, AS9100 compliance, and financial performance. Hire and develop staff, implement lean/Six Sigma process controls, manage P&L, coordinate with engineering and program management, maintain customer and supplier relationships, and drive 20% year-over-year growth while expanding facility capacity and KPIs.

Partner with the Director of HR to manage HR operations—benefits, HRIS/records, timekeeping and bi-weekly payroll, compliance with employment laws, employee relations, performance management, compensation research, and hiring best practices.

Lead program efforts to meet cost, schedule, and technical objectives for mechanical and pyrotechnic systems. Oversee project planning, budgeting, resource forecasting, customer interactions, documentation of system requirements and contract deliverables, tracking progress, and supporting proposal writing and business development.

Design and develop aerospace flight-worthy structures, mechanisms, and mechanical systems. Produce 2D/3D CAD models and drawings, perform basic calculations and analyses, create BOMs and QA specs, support manufacturing, testing, and deployment, and assist proposal and business development efforts.

Develop and maintain the master production schedule, balance capacity and inventory, coordinate cross-functional planning (Sales, Supply Chain, Engineering, Production), integrate sales orders, monitor output versus plan, identify risks and bottlenecks, support SIOP meetings, report metrics, and drive corrective actions to meet delivery dates.