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Avalanche Energy is a Seattle-based fusion startup developing compact fusion machines for clean, energy-dense power generation. The company is building modular systems designed to provide power across applications from austere environments to deep sea vehicles, maritime transport, and lunar power.
As Principal Experimental Lead, you will lead a team of scientists and experimentalists to ensure successful execution of projects and scientific milestones. This is a working manager role where you will both lead and contribute technically to hard scientific problems.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise and mentor a team of scientists and research staff
- Develop and manage standard operating procedures and best practices for the experimental team
- Lead department skill gap identification, onboarding, training, and hiring
- Coordinate experimental department activities and collaboration across departments
- Partner with Project Leads to determine experimental team skill requirements and assist in resource allocation
- Provide guidance and support in experimental design and data analysis
- Foster a collaborative and innovative research environment
- Ensure scientific integrity and quality of research outputs
- Analyze experimental data using statistical and computational methods
- Lead special projects and R&D initiatives as necessary
- Stay current with scientific literature and advancements in the field
- Travel for conferences, supplier visits, meetings, and company offsites (up to 20%)
The role requires deep understanding of physics principles, excellent managerial and communication skills, and passion for leading ambitious teams. You will work in a small, tight-knit team environment with hands-on collaboration and rapid iteration cycles.
Requirements:
- Ph.D. degree in physics, engineering, or relevant scientific discipline
- 15+ years of experience in scientific research with proven track record of strong leadership and project completion
- 5+ years leading high-performing teams with ability to manage complex problems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with emphasis on presenting and collaborating with internal stakeholders
- Prior experience managing physics research projects
- Hardworking, enthusiastic attitude with track record of overcoming challenges
Bonus Skills & Experience:
- MBA or PMP certification
- Experience with electromagnetic design and analysis
- Experience with high voltage systems in vacuum
- Experience with high energy plasmas
- Familiarity with multi-physics simulation tools such as COMSOL and FEM analysis
- Experience with plasma simulation codes including Particle-in-Cell (PIC)
- Experience working in the fusion industry
