Plasma Heating Systems Lead for Fusion Energy

U.S. Fusion Energy; Illinois; On-site; USD 150,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Employee equity stock options

20 days PTO

Job summary

Thea Energy is seeking a Heating Systems Lead to oversee the design, development, implementation, and operation of plasma heating systems for the company’s flagship fusion systems.

This senior role requires deep technical expertise in magnetic confinement fusion heating, proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams, and the ability to collaborate with physics, systems, and engineering groups to accelerate deployment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in RF, microwave, or related technologies, with a focus on high-power systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, high-autonomy startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of engineers, scientists, and technicians in the design, construction, testing, and operation of plasma heating systems. Manage the budget, vendor relations, and procurement of highly specialized hardware.
• Oversee multiple plasma heating system projects ensuring technical excellence and timely delivery.
• Serve as a technical advisor for plasma heating programs, providing guidance on system architecture, diagnostics, fusion absorption, and operation.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices in heating system design and safety.
• Define a comprehensive system roadmap for the Eos device and future power plants, ensuring heating system capabilities align with core physics, engineering, and power plant requirements.
• Own the conceptual, preliminary, and final engineering designs of heating systems. Ensure these systems integrate seamlessly into the spatial constraints of our planar coil stellarator.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for diagnostics partnerships with national laboratories, academic institutions, and vendors to accelerate deployment.

Skills

RF & Microwave

High-power systems

Leadership

Project management

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Thea Energy is seeking a Heating Systems Lead to oversee the design, development, implementation, and operation of plasma heating systems for the company’s flagship fusion systems.

This senior role requires deep technical expertise in magnetic confinement fusion heating, proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams, and the ability to collaborate with physics, systems, and engineering groups to accelerate deployment.