Accelerator Physicist (Lead)

Acceleron Fusion, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Stock options

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Acceleron Fusion, Inc. in Cambridge, MA, is seeking an Accelerator Physicist (Lead) to shape the technical strategy for muon production and guide beamline design.

This senior IC will mentor a small team, coordinate RF, cryogenics, and targetry subsystems, and author publications while collaborating with external labs. The role is full-time onsite with travel; salary range $120,000–$160,000 plus bonuses and stock options. Health, dental, retirement plans, PTO, and holidays are included.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Deep understanding of beam dynamics and accelerator systems.
• Proficiency with accelerator and EM simulation tools (MAD-X, OPAL, elegant, GPT, CST/HFSS, COMSOL).
• Familiarity with high-power RF systems, cryogenics, and radiation shielding/safety.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical programs as a senior IC.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical strategy and program plan for accelerator-driven muon production and beamlines.
• Design and optimize accelerator systems and beamlines for muon focusing and cooling; run beam dynamics simulations.
• Lead or supervise contractors/vendors; establish technical specs and acceptance criteria.
• Specify and architect the RF power chain and coordinate cryogenics on thermal budgets.
• Drive preliminary engineering design, lead reviews, and coordinate cross-functional deliverables.
• Author technical papers and present at conferences; engage with external collaborators.
• Establish working standards for modeling, data management, and verification/validation.

Skills

Beam dynamics

Accelerator systems

Python/Matlab

EM simulation tools

CAD tools

Education

PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

MAD-X

OPAL

elegant

GPT

CST/HFSS

COMSOL

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Acceleron Fusion is developing muon-catalyzed fusion—a path to clean, abundant energy. Building on research sponsored by the U.S. DOE, we have raised over $20M in our Series A venture capital round and have already logged 100+ hours of muon-catalyzed fusion in tests at the Paul Scherrer Institute. Our collaborators include PSI, Oak Ridge, Argonne, Fermilab, and several universities. Join a team where fundamental physics meets application-oriented engineering, and your designs could help move our technology from the laboratory to a commercial energy source.

We have an opening for an Accelerator Physicist (Lead) who will play a key role in the design and optimization of muon production systems for our fusion technology. This is a senior individual contributor position with technical leadership responsibilities, including the expectation to help build and mentor a small team as scope grows.

What you'll do:

• Own the technical strategy and program plan for accelerator-driven muon production and associated beamlines, including design, schedule, risk, and interface management.
• Participate in design and optimization of accelerator systems and beamlines for muon focusing and cooling; perform and review beam dynamics simulations.
• Lead or supervise contractors/vendors for preconceptual linac design and related subsystems; establish technical specifications and acceptance criteria.
• Specify and architect the RF power chain (MW-class RF power conversion, distribution, waveguides, couplers) and coordinate with cryogenics on thermal load budgets (kW-level at cryo temperatures).
• Drive preliminary engineering design, evaluate feasibility and tradeoffs, and lead design reviews; coordinate cross-functional deliverables (RF, cryo, targetry, controls, safety).
• Author technical papers and contribute to the company's scientific publications, presenting research at scientific conferences and representing the program with external collaborators.
• Establish working standards for modeling, data management, and verification/validation in collaboration with the broader physics and engineering teams.

What we're looking for:

• PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with a focus on accelerator physics (or equivalent experience).
• Deep understanding of beam dynamics and accelerator systems; hands-on experience with beamlines, synchrotrons, or storage rings.
• Proficiency with accelerator and EM simulation tools (e.g., MAD-X, OPAL, elegant, GPT, CST/HFSS, COMSOL), CAD software (e.g. SolidWorks, AutoCAD), and scientific computing (Python/Matlab).
• Broad familiarity with adjacent accelerator engineering: high-power RF systems, cryogenics, radiation shielding/safety, high-voltage interlocks.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical programs as a senior IC: setting architecture, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, making schedule/technical tradeoffs, and driving to results.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to influence across functions and with external partners.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, resourceful startup environment.

Preferred Qualifications (not required)

• National lab experience or collaborations strongly preferred.
• Muon physics or muon beamline design experience is a plus.

Details and Logistics:

• This is a full-time, onsite role working from our facility in Cambridge, MA.
• Travel (including international) a few weeks per year is required to partner labs and vendors.
• Our benefits package includes health & dental insurance, retirement savings with company contribution, stock options, paid time off, and company holidays.
• The salary range for this role is $120,000 to $160,000. This range represents the minimum and maximum base compensation Acceleron Fusion reasonably expects to pay for this position. The specific salary offered will be determined based on relevant factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation such as bonuses, equity, or other benefits.
• Initial video call with recruiter (30min)
• Technical video call with members of our Physics team (45min)
• Research presentation (60min)
• In-person interview (~5hours including lunch with co-founders)

Acceleron Fusion is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.