Lead Experimental Fusion Physicist

Fusion Energy Base; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible time off

Job summary

Fuse in Albuquerque seeks a senior experimental physicist to design and lead shot campaigns on pulsed‑power machines. You will decide in real time if an experiment is ready to fire and interpret outcomes with diagnostics and computational teams.

You will collaborate with nuclear engineers and diagnostics groups to configure radiation measurements, publish findings, and mentor junior staff. This onsite role requires relocation to Albuquerque and a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience designing and executing experimental campaigns, not just analyzing existing data.
• Strong understanding of plasma physics, pulsed-power systems, or nuclear effects testing.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions under time pressure during live experimental operations.
• Strong communication skills across engineering, physics, and operations teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead experimental shot campaigns on Fuse’s pulsed‑power machines, defining objectives, configurations, and success criteria for each shot.
• Take responsibility for go/no‑go decisions on experimental readiness in real time, working directly with engineering and operations teams.
• Interpret shot data alongside diagnostics and computational teams; identify what worked, what didn’t, and what to change for the next campaign.
• Collaborate with Computational Physicists to validate simulations against real experimental results and refine models.
• Work with Nuclear Engineers and diagnostics teams to ensure radiation diagnostics are correctly configured.
• Drive continuous improvement of experimental procedures based on shot‑to‑shot learnings.
• Present findings internally and, where appropriate, externally through technical reports and publications.
• Mentor and guide junior physicists and engineers supporting experimental operations.

Skills

Plasma physics

Experimental design

Pulsed-power systems

Real-time decision making

Cross-functional communication

Education

PhD in Physics or related field

Tools

Z-pinches

Radiation diagnostics

Diagnostics integration

Job description

Fuse in Albuquerque seeks a senior experimental physicist to design and lead shot campaigns on pulsed‑power machines. You will decide in real time if an experiment is ready to fire and interpret outcomes with diagnostics and computational teams.

You will collaborate with nuclear engineers and diagnostics groups to configure radiation measurements, publish findings, and mentor junior staff. This onsite role requires relocation to Albuquerque and a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment.