Lead Ultra-High-Voltage Engineer/Scientist

Terra Fusion; College Park (MD); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in startup

On-site collaboration

Job summary

Terra Fusion in College Park, MD is seeking a Lead Ultra-High-Voltage Engineer/Scientist to drive design and deployment of UHV power supplies for fusion research.

You will lead from concept through commissioning, mentor engineers, and collaborate with plasma physics, mechanical, and control systems teams in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering; PhD a plus.
• 5+ years in HV or pulsed power design.
• Understanding insulation, corona, grounding.
• Experience with CAD tools and simulations.

Responsibilities

• Design HV DC systems for fusion applications.
• Select and integrate components: multipliers, insulators, feedthroughs, protection circuits.
• Design for scalability, maintainability, and high reliability.
• Direct testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning of prototypes and full-scale systems.
• Implement rigorous safety protocols for high-voltage systems.
• Collaborate with other design teams to ensure integration with vacuum systems and magnetic fields.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering excellence.

Skills

5+ years HV design

Safety mindset

Analytical thinking

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering

PhD a plus

Tools

Spice

COMSOL

Electrical CAD

Job description

We're looking for talented individuals passionate about
building a sustainable future with fusion energy

2026

Lead Ultra-High-Voltage Engineer/Scientist

$125-175k

College Park, MD (on-site)

We are seeking an experienced engineer/scientist to lead the design, development, and deployment of ultra-high-voltage (UHV) power supplies capable of safely generating hundreds of kilovolts. This is a hands-on role where you will be responsible for the UHV system from concept through commissioning, working closely with plasma physicists, mechanical engineers, control systems teams, and external vendors.

As part of our core engineering team, you will lead the design, build, and commission of UHV systems that will drive our future centrifugal mirror fusion energy machines.

Key Responsibilities

• Design ultra-high-voltage DC systems for fusion applications.
• Select and integrate components such as voltage multipliers, insulators, vacuum feedthroughs, and protection circuits.
• Design for scalability, maintainability, and high reliability in a demanding industrial environment.
• Direct testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning of prototypes and full-scale systems
• Implement rigorous safety protocols for high-voltage systems
• Collaborate with other design teams to ensure seamless integration with ultra-high vacuum systems and plasma-facing hardware in strong magnetic fields.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of engineering excellence.

Skills & Experience

• BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related fields (Ph.D. a plus).
• 5+ years of experience designing and building ultra-high-voltage or pulsed power systems, preferably in research or industrial settings.
• Deep understanding of high-voltage insulation techniques, corona discharge mitigation, and grounding strategies.
• Proficiency in electrical CAD tools and simulation software (e.g., Spice, COMSOL).
• Demonstrated ability to take designs from concept to operational hardware.
• Strong safety mindset and familiarity with relevant electrical codes and standards.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative R&D environment.
• Knowledge of data acquisition hardware and software a plus.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: $125,000 – $175,000, depending on experience
• Equity in a high-growth fusion energy startup
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking clean energy technology with world-class scientists and engineers
• Hands-on, fast-paced environment where your designs quickly become reality