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Salary: USD 140,000 - 200,000 / annual
Pacific Fusion, founded in 2023 and backed by over $900M in funding, is building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system to achieve net facility gain and deliver abundant, affordable, clean energy. The company is rapidly assembling world-class scientists, engineers, and operators to advance fusion technology and address climate change while meeting global energy demand.
As Senior Mechanical Engineer for Pulsed Power Systems, you will own the design, construction, operation, and continuous advancement of the pulsed power systems that form the experimental core of the fusion platform. This is a deeply hands-on, multidisciplinary role requiring technical depth across high-voltage systems, controls, diagnostics, and data analysis, combined with the ability to lead R&D workflows and drive system performance.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design and build high-voltage, high-current pulsed power architectures and control systems for safe, automated operation
- Operate pulsed power systems during testing and data acquisition campaigns, including occasional off-hours work
- Acquire, process, and analyze experimental data to evaluate system performance and stability
- Develop tools and workflows for data collection, visualization, and interpretation
- Translate experimental results into actionable insights for next-generation pulser design
- Own pulsed power subsystem advancement and roadmap execution
- Lead design reviews, experimental planning, and technical documentation
- Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and plasma physics teams to iterate and improve designs
- Drive continuous improvement in reliability, efficiency, and diagnostic capability
You bring a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field, plus 5+ years designing complex systems. You have proven experience designing, developing, testing, and building prototype mechanical and electrical systems, with a track record of delivering complex R&D projects from concept through validation. Strong background required in electronic design, control systems, and PLC software development. Proficiency in circuit simulation tools (SPICE, PSCAD, COMSOL) and data analysis (Python, MATLAB) is essential, along with CAD expertise (SolidWorks, ANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics).
Bonus qualifications include an advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.), prior experience with high-voltage pulsed systems in fusion or plasma research, hands-on integration of diagnostics and controls for high-energy experiments, and knowledge of safety standards in high-voltage environments.
