Fabrication Lead

Pacific Fusion; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan 6% employer 401k matching

Generous paid time off

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Job summary

Pacific Fusion seeks an expert Fabrication Lead - Vacuum Systems to oversee end‑to‑end vacuum vessel fabrication, from design-for-manufacturability to on-site installation.

You will drive bids, manage fabrication of critical components, and coordinate with physicists and engineers to optimize performance. Expect travel to suppliers and adherence to tight tolerances and cleanliness standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years in high/ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems design, fabrication, and installation.
• Strong knowledge of vacuum fabrication, leak testing, and cleanliness standards.
• Experience with aerospace-grade fabrication of large stainless steel assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Own execution of vacuum vessel fabrication from design-for-manufacturability to site installation.
• Drive RFQ and technical bid reviews for complex vacuum components with tight tolerances.
• Manage fabrication of vacuum components and power‑flow components for our fusion machine.
• Build detailed execution plans including vacuum leak testing, qualification, and turnover documentation.
• Coordinate with vacuum physicists and design engineers to optimize system performance.
• Manage suppliers of specialized vacuum hardware and machined components for schedule and quality.
• Travel to meet with suppliers.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Vacuum systems expertise

Leak detection techniques

Cleanroom practices

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or physics

Tools

Stainless steel fabrication

Welding

Surface finish

Job description

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 pulser‑driven inertial 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.

Why This Role Matters

Pacific Fusion is seeking an expert Fabrication Lead - Vacuum Systems to oversee the end‑to‑end delivery of vacuum chamber vessel and large complex steel assemblies critical to our fusion technology. You will lead the procurement, fabrication, machining, and installation of complex vacuum chambers, forged and machined ring assemblies with complex features & tight tolerances. This role is essential for maintaining the extreme vacuum requirements necessary to achieve our fusion goals.

What You’ll Do

• Own the execution of vacuum vessel and component fabrication, from design‑for‑manufacturability through final site installation.
• Drive requests for quotation and technical bid reviews for complex vacuum components, large precision manufactured components, ensuring tight tolerance and cleanliness standards.
• Manage fabrication of mission critical vacuum components and power flow components for our fusion machine.
• Build detailed execution plans including vacuum leak testing, qualification, and turnover documentation.
• Coordinate with vacuum physicists and design engineers to optimize system performance and reliability.
• Manage suppliers of specialized vacuum hardware, precision machined components ensuring schedule compliance and quality control.
• Expected to travel and meet with the suppliers.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in high or ultra‑high vacuum (UHV) systems, including design, fabrication, and installation.
• Deep understanding of vacuum fabrication (welding, surface finish, sealing and cleanliness) and leak detection techniques (e.g., helium leak testing).
• Experience with stainless steel fabrication processes and cleanliness standards for vacuum service.
• Familiarity with vacuum system assembly, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with aerospace grade fabrication of large & complex stainless steel assemblies with intricate machined features, tight tolerances and smooth surface finish.

Bonus Points

• Experience with large‑scale UHV systems for fusion, aerospace, or accelerator physics.
• Machining of aerospace grade complex and large assemblies.
• Hands‑on experience with cleanroom practices and assembly.
• Familiarity with nonconformance resolution in vacuum hardware.

Pay Range: $175,900 - $219,900 USD. Total Compensation includes equity and benefits. 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.

Total Compensation & Benefits for Eligible Employees

• Industry‑competitive salary
• Equity plan 6% employer 401k matching
• Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Reasonable Accommodations

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.