Senior Control Systems Engineer

Number of employees

84

Kearny, NJ, USA

Posted on: 2026-03-05

Category: energy

Ready to make this your next chapter?

Let Thea Energy know you found them on WorkInGreen. It helps more companies post climate jobs here.

Employment type:

Full time

Experience required:

Senior

Salary

Salary not provided

About the company:

Thea Energy is building an economical and scalable fusion energy system utilizing arrays of mass manufacturable magnets and dynamic software controls. Commercial fusion energy can uniquely provide a abundant source of zero-emission power for a sustainable future. Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in computation and controls to reinvent the stellarator, a scientifically mature form of magnetic fusion technology. Thea Energy was founded in 2022 as a spin-out of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Princeton University, where the stellarator was originally invented. Thea Energy is currently designing its first integrated fusion system, Eos, based on its planar coil stellarator architecture which will produce fusion neutrons at scale and in steady-state.

About Thea Energy:  
Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.  

Position Overview:
Thea Energy is seeking a Senior Control Systems Engineer to work on the design of the control system for the company’s Eos integrated stellarator. This role will define the overall control system architecture, select core technologies, design platforms, and manage technical interfaces between all major control subsystems including plasma control, power supply control, cryogenic control, safety systems, and data acquisition.

As a senior technical engineer, this role will work closely with subsystem teams, vendors, and collaborators to ensure that the architecture meets real-time performance, reliability, scalability, and regulatory requirements. This role is pivotal in shaping the next-generation control infrastructure for one of the most innovative stellarator-based fusion pilot plants in development.

As part of a rapidly growing team, you’ll be part of the organizational build-up of a leading fusion energy company. This role will have a high degree of autonomy and must be able to move quickly. The Thea Energy team is comprised of self-motivated, creative, and fun individuals with an excitement for solving complex problems.

It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.  
  
Diversity and Inclusion:  
Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

Key Responsibility Areas:

  • Lead the definition of the Eos control system architecture (functional, physical, and communication layers).
  • Select core technologies for real-time control, SCADA, networking, timing, and data management.
  • Develop high-level system specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and system block diagrams.
  • Oversee integration and coordination of control subsystems.
  • Ensure consistency across communication protocols (e.g. OPC UA, DDS, Modbus, EPICS).
  • Contribute to the selection of PLC/DCS platforms for safety- and mission-critical systems.
  • Work with the AI/ML and Plasma Control teams to integrate predictive control and digital twin functionality into the architecture.
  • Support development of conceptual and preliminary design packages, including architecture reviews and validation plans.
  • Collaborate with systems engineering to ensure alignment with the overall plant functional architecture and TRL maturity goals.
  • Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Physics, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in control system design for fusion energy, particle accelerators, large scientific facilities, or similar high-reliability environments.
  • Strong proficiency with EPICS or TANGO control frameworks, Simulink and MATLAB for system modeling and simulation, SysML/UML for system-level architecture and documentation, and OPC UA, DDS, TCP/IP, PTP/White Rabbit communication protocols.
  • Experience with high-speed data acquisition, real-time systems, and distributed control.
  • Knowledge of IEC 61508 / 61511 or other safety-related standards.
  • Familiarity with PLC platforms (e.g. Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley).
  • Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and managing technical vendors.
  • Hands-on experience with FPGA or embedded systems is a plus.
  • Previous experience in early-phase fusion device development is highly desirable.
  • Company Benefits:

  • Salary range $95,000-$160,000
  • Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
  • Employee equity stock options
  • 20 days PTO
  • Requirements:

  • Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call.
  • Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.
  • Not quite the right fit? Keep looking.

    More climate roles that match your skills and values.

    View all jobs

    45 Energy jobs at Thea Energy

    Thea Energy is hiring Senior Control Systems Engineer,Power Electronics Engineer,Senior Electrical Distribution Systems Engineer, and more.

    View all jobs at Thea Energy