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Thea Energy is seeking a Principal HTS Magnet Engineer to lead the design, development, and delivery of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet systems for fusion energy applications.
You will own end-to-end program responsibility across multi-year fusion hardware projects, including system design reviews (CDR/PDR), subsystem qualification, site commissioning, and risk mitigation. Key technical areas include:
• Cabled HTS Design: Specify and optimize high-current cabled HTS conductors, managing thermomechanical stresses, high-field Lorentz forces, and thermal quench propagation.
• Large-Scale Manufacturing: Specify and review designs in the 1–10m range and 10–100 tonne range, with hands-on experience managing forgings, composite insulation, and solder potting challenges.
• Electro-Mechanical Integration: Direct coupling between high-current electrical power leads, quench detection systems, cryogenic cooling interfaces, and structural mechanical supports.
• Vendor & Lifecycle Management: Oversee technical deliverables for HTS tape/cable vendors, manufacturing facilities, and integration test platforms.
• Failure Analysis & Test Operations: Lead full-scale magnet testing, cryogenic qualification (4.2K–20K), and post-test forensics.
You will apply deep expertise in applied superconductivity (REBCO 2G-HTS tape mechanics, strain limitations, current distribution, AC losses, tape-to-cable joint architecture), multiphysics engineering (FEA coupling electromagnetic forces, structural stress, thermal management, fluid flow), and quench protection & diagnostics (active/passive systems, voltage tap arrays, fiber-optic sensors, high-speed dump circuits). Strategic risk mitigation via FMEA applied to cryogenic failures, vacuum loss, and runaway quench scenarios is essential.
You will lead cross-functional teams spanning electrical and mechanical disciplines, manage system engineering deliverables (CONOPS, requirements, ICD, traceability), and work with tools including ANSYS, COMSOL, OPERA, MATLAB/Simulink, and custom HTS electrodynamic modeling software.
This is a high-impact role at a fast-growing fusion venture, requiring comfort with startup demands and the ability to execute at scale.
REQUIREMENTS:
• 10–15 years of direct experience in superconducting systems: proven track record designing and delivering high-field (10T+) HTS cabled magnets or low-temperature (LTS) Cable-in-Conduit Conductors (CICC) for fusion applications.
• Demonstrated ownership of major lifecycle milestones in complex megaprojects (e.g., W7-X, JT-60SA, KSTAR, ITER-scale setups, or commercial fusion ventures) with budget ownership of $10M–$50M.
• Hands-on leadership of full-scale magnet testing, cryogenic qualification, and post-test forensics.
• Start-up experience and comfort with the demands of fast-growing organizations.
• Large-scale magnet manufacturing experience, including awareness of challenges in forgings, composite insulation, and solder potting at 1–10m length scales.
• Deep domain knowledge: REBCO 2G-HTS tape mechanics, strain limitations, current distribution, AC losses, tape-to-cable joint architecture, multiphysics modeling, quench protection systems, and strategic risk mitigation via FMEA.
• Proficiency with ANSYS, COMSOL, OPERA, MATLAB/Simulink, or custom HTS electrodynamic modeling tools.
• Education: B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Nuclear Engineering.
