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Plasma-Material Interaction (PMI) Manager)

Thea Energy - Kearny, NJ, United States - In-office - posted 2026-08-28

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Thea Energy is developing next-generation stellarator fusion technology using computer-controlled planar coil arrays to accelerate commercialization of fusion energy. The company has reimagined stellarator design to be simpler and faster to deploy than traditional modular magnet approaches. You will lead plasma-material interaction (PMI) research and development, focusing on the survivability and performance of plasma-facing materials in fusion-relevant environments. Your responsibilities include: - Designing and executing experiments to evaluate material performance under extreme plasma conditions - Analyzing plasma-surface interactions, including erosion mechanisms, heat-induced degradation, and contamination effects - Developing material selection strategies and testing protocols for stellarator components - Collaborating with physics and engineering teams to integrate PMI findings into system design - Establishing material qualification standards and acceptance criteria - Managing experimental campaigns and data analysis - Contributing to technical publications and presentations You will work with high autonomy and ownership on cutting-edge fusion research. The role combines hands-on experimental work with strategic material development planning. Success requires deep expertise in plasma-material science, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to translate complex physics into engineering solutions for a commercial fusion program. This is an opportunity to contribute to a venture-backed fusion company at a critical stage of technology development, working on materials challenges central to making fusion energy commercially viable.

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