Metrology Lead Engineer

Fusion Energy Base; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Yearly bonus

Hybrid work policy

Stock options

Relocation allowance

Insurance plans

Retirement options

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Fusion Energy Base in Knoxville, TN, is seeking a Metrology Lead Engineer to ensure precision in our stellarator fusion machines. You will lead the development of metrology systems, guiding teams to support high-quality engineering processes.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of experience in metrology and at least 3 years in a leadership capacity. This role also entails collaboration with cross-functional teams and developing processes for quality and performance in fusion energy development.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with metrology and quality engineering.
• Experience in a leadership role for at least 3 years.
• Strong understanding of precision tolerancing and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for metrology.
• Define and develop metrology solutions.
• Support manufacturing process validation.
• Lead problem solving for non-compliant components.
• Collaborate with suppliers for qualification.

Skills

Metrology expertise

Mechanical design principles

Project management

Calibration methods

3D CAD proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, physics or a related discipline

Tools

3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, Siemens NX)

Job description

Metrology Lead Engineer

Location: Knoxville, TN

Salary: Highly Competitive Plus Benefits

Contract: Permanent, full time

Reporting to: VP Stellarator Maintenance & Inspection Services

About Type One Energy

Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world.

Your role in the mission

At Type One Energy (T1E), our stellarator fusion machines will be large steel assemblies requiring precise alignment between multiple sections and layers of technology within each section. This precision will be monitored and ensured in part using metrological technology and practices. As our Metrology Lead Engineer, you will be the driving force behind our measurement and calibration excellence. You’ll be charged with helping T1E select metrology systems, outline our metrological approach, and generate process and procedure to support our efforts. The goal is to ensure components meet exacting specifications before they are integrated into assemblies and to ensure those assemblies can be installed and aligned as they are incorporated into the stellarator fusion system.

Your leadership directly influences fabrication practices, product quality, and our ability to efficiently produce heat adequate to generate power on a grid scale.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on engineer with demonstrated experience developing effective measurement and inspection processes for complex mechanical systems. You will contribute to both early‑stage design and detailed manufacturing support, bringing practical, scalable solutions to complex engineering challenges in extreme environments.

This position requires a unique combination of technical fluency and project discipline. You will have deep familiarity with engineering development processes and understand how to build and integrate workflows within an EVM‑based project management framework. This role is pivotal to enabling our technical and programmatic success — ensuring that complex engineering efforts are delivered predictably, transparently, and in alignment with the company’s broader fusion energy development roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for metrology, measurement, and inspection, advising cross‑functional teams on implications to manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly.
• Define, design and develop metrology solutions including hardware engineering, test software implementation, and qualification of components and assemblies.
• Support the creation of manufacturing process and equipment qualification validation plans and their implementation.
• Collect metrology data to correlate to performance metrics, including spatial envelopes and alignment requirements.
• Lead problem solving and/or disposition in support of engineering dispositions for non‑compliant components and systems.
• Review, guide, and validate designs created by peers and external suppliers to ensure technical excellence and manufacturability.
• Support FMEA, DFMA, and risk assessments for critical hardware and assemblies.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to support fabrication, assembly, and qualification of mechanical systems.
• Develop and execute test plans to validate components received from vendors, components combined mechanically or via welding, and assemblies consisting of multiple components and/or subassemblies.
• Author detailed engineering drawings, procedures, and specifications in compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Develop and maintain calibration programs for mechanical, optical, and electronic measurement systems.
• Contribute to process development documentation, design reviews, and configuration control processes.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, physics or a related discipline.
• Proven expertise and at least 7 years of experience with metrology, precision measurement, or quality engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, precision tolerancing, and manufacturing processes.
• Deep knowledge of calibration methods, uncertainty analysis, and measurement system analysis (MSA).
• Motivated and creative professional possessing a passion to innovate.
• Team player capable of leveraging an organization stacked with an array of highly educated and skilled subject matter experts to bring fusion power to the grid by 2035.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and fabrication / manufacturing processes for large steel structures.
• Familiarity with automation, robotics, or mechatronic systems used in precision manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading complex engineering projects from concept to production.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or similar).
• Experience designing equipment or processes for high‑radiological or nuclear environments, or for other extreme service conditions.

We offer

• Basic salary with yearly bonus.
• Hybrid work policy.
• Stock options.
• Relocation allowance.
• Insurance plans.
• Retirement options.
• Many other voluntary benefits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Type One Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, searching for the best new ideas and remaining open to unique perspectives. Therefore, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment independent of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.