About Pacific Fusion 

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy.

We are rapidly designing and building a pulsed magnetic fusion system to achieve net facility gain (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems.

Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand. You can read more about us in this letter from our founders. 

About the Role

Job Overview:

Pacific Fusion is seeking a Senior Power Plant Design Engineer to join our dynamic team and build the path to commercial fusion power. You will be responsible for leading the initial design and development of our pulser-driven inertial fusion pilot plant, as well as design and development of important sub-systems for this pilot and future commercial power plants. 

This position requires a unique combination of skills spanning power plant engineering and design, thermal engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, and nuclear engineering. This will involve managing design teams, coordinating with external stakeholders, and ensuring that all projects meet the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in power plant design, a strong understanding of engineering principles, and the ability to manage complex projects.

Responsibilities:

• Power plant layout: Create and maintain system design specifications, flow diagrams, requirements documents, and full-system layout for our pulser-driven fusion pilot plant, including mechanical, electrical, and civil components.

• Complex simulation analysis: Conduct multi-physics simulations involving fluid dynamics, structural integrity, and material response, and radiation effects. Ensure accurate representation of physical phenomena through effective coupling of different simulation codes. Utilize advanced simulation tools for structural analysis, focusing on the durability, reliability, and safety of design under extreme conditions.

• Design and experimental validation: Lead the design and development of testbed demonstrations of certain pilot plant subsystems, to validate design concepts and simulation results.

• Compliance and safety: Ensure that all engineering designs are compliant with relevant industry standards and health, safety, and environmental regulations.

• Technoeconmic analysis: Create bottoms-up technoeconomic models and perform sensitivity analyses to identify and track major cost drivers.

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring that all projects are completed on schedule and within budget.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering (or related field).

• Minimum 7 years experience in power plant design and engineering.

• Proficiency in multi-physics simulation and relevant design tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics®, ANSYS Fluent, CREO, Revit. 

• Proven track record in the design, analysis, and testing of mechanical systems, preferably in high-pressure and/or high-temperature environments.

• Exceptional problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Demonstrated leadership abilities and experience managing medium-to-large scale engineering teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• Experience in an EPC environment.

• Experience with remote maintenance systems, including radiological.

Benefits:

• Industry-competitive salary

• Up to 6% employer 401k matching

• Equity plan

• Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range. 

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know. 

Pacific Fusion does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. In the absence of such agreement, Pacific Fusion reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Pacific Fusion hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.