Integrated Modeling Intern - Fall 2026

U.S. Fusion Energy; Energy (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly wages

On-site internship experience

Job summary

Thea Energy is seeking an Integrated Modeling Intern for Fall 2026 to work on on-site projects in Kearny, NJ. The role focuses on developing reduced models and surrogate techniques for fusion confinement problems in a dynamic environment that blends AI with physics-driven design.

The ideal candidate has familiarity with toroidal plasma confinement devices, nonlinear optimization, and data-driven modeling, and is motivated to contribute to innovative fusion energy solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience with toroidal plasma confinement devices.
• Experience with constrained nonlinear numerical optimization.
• Experience in systems studies or data science or ML.

Responsibilities

• Implement reduced models of physics phenomena and engineering systems.
• Generate coupled workflows of integrated models including constrained numerical optimization of designs.
• Train surrogate models on high-fidelity simulation outputs.

Skills

Toroidal plasma confinement

Nonlinear optimization

Systems studies

Data science

Machine learning

Job description

Integrated Modeling Intern – Fall 2026

Kearny, NJ

Technology – Physics

Internship

On-site

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.

Thea Energy's Approach To Fusion Confinement Is Uniquely Positioned To Leverage AI And Learned Surrogates In The Design Of Its Fusion Power Plant. Likewise, The Large Design Space Of The Stellarator Approach Makes Numerical Optimization Of Figures Of Merit Essential. Thea Energy Is Looking For a Motivated Intern With Familiarity With Toroidal Plasma Confinement Devices To Perform Several Tasks

• Implement reduced models of physics phenomena and engineering systems
• Generate coupled workflows of integrated models including constrained numerical optimization of designs
• Train surrogate models on high-fidelity simulation outputs

Ideal Experience & Skillsets

The ideal candidate will have experience with toroidal plasma confinement devices, constrained nonlinear numerical optimization, systems studies, data science, and/or machine learning

Company Benefits

Compensation: $18-25/hr Undergraduate and $26-30/hr Post-graduate

Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
• 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.

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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.