Head of Turbomachinery Technology
Freeform · Los Angeles · $200,000–$300,000 (stated in the posting)
HEAD OF TURBOMACHINERY TECHNOLOGY
Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.
As Head of Turbomachinery Technology, you will build and lead a new engineering division at Freeform. You will set the technical direction for rotating machinery designed around what metal 3D printing makes possible: integrated geometries, fewer parts, and performance that casting and machining cannot reach. You will take new architectures from first-principles analysis through hardware test, working alongside the teams that build our printing technology.
We’re looking for a hands-on turbomachinery expert who has taken hardware from concept to test stand and wants to define the next generation of the field. This is a founding leadership role with direct access to senior leadership and room to grow the division.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and lead the turbomachinery division, including technical strategy, roadmap, team structure, and hiring
- Lead aerodynamic and thermo-mechanical design of compressors, turbines, and pumps built for additive manufacturing
- Define the design rules, analysis methods, and validation approach for rotating hardware produced on Freeform’s platform
- Direct rotordynamics, structural, and life analysis, including fatigue, creep, and vibration
- Plan and run component and rig testing, and correlate results with CFD and FEA models
- Work with materials, process, simulation, controls, and manufacturing engineers to feed what you learn back into our printing technology
- Own schedule, budget, and technical risk for division programs
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a team of turbomachinery engineers
Basic Qualifications:
- Establish and lead the turbomachinery division, including technical strategy, roadmap, team structure, and hiring
- Lead aerodynamic and thermo-mechanical design of compressors, turbines, and pumps built for additive manufacturing
- Define the design rules, analysis methods, and validation approach for rotating hardware produced on Freeform’s platform
- Direct rotordynamics, structural, and life analysis, including fatigue, creep, and vibration
- Plan and run component and rig testing, and correlate results with CFD and FEA models
- Work with materials, process, simulation, controls, and manufacturing engineers to feed what you learn back into our printing technology
- Own schedule, budget, and technical risk for division programs
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a team of turbomachinery engineers
Nice to Have:
- Master’s or PhD in a relevant field
- Proficiency with CFD and FEA tools and experience correlating models to test data
- Experience leading engineers or technical programs
- Experience with high-speed, high-temperature, cryogenic, or supercritical fluid machinery
- Hands-on experience with bearings, seals, and rotor balancing
- Experience building or commissioning turbomachinery test rigs and facilities
- Familiarity with nickel superalloys and other high-performance materials
- Background in a startup or fast-paced R&D environment
- Experience building a technical team from scratch
Location:
- Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.
- Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.
What We Offer:
- We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
- We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.
- Benefits
- Significant stock option packages
- 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
- Life insurance
- Traditional and Roth 401(k)
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
- Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
- Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
- Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
- Compensation
- As a growing company, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual taking into consideration years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process. Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.
- In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $200,000 - $300,000. The upper end of the range is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional experience, deep domain mastery, and a proven history of high performance and impact.
- Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform 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.