Senior Controls Infrastructure Engineer

Pacific Fusion; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

6% employer 401k matching

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Pacific Fusion seeks a Senior Controls Infrastructure Engineer to design, deploy, and operate the facility's network, storage, and compute infrastructure for 24/7 operations in a regulated environment.

You will lead network segmentation, Zero Trust patterns, and ensure security, availability, and compliance with NIST SP 800-171 and export controls, mentoring a small team and coordinating with IT, facilities, and vendors.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in production network/infrastructure.
• Experience supporting 24/7 operations with availability targets.
• Ability to lead projects end to end: requirements, design, deployment, verification, documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and optimization of facility infrastructure network and data storage across on-prem, cloud, and remote connectivity.
• Design network segmentation and Zero Trust patterns for equipment and data systems.
• Own performance, availability, and security of facility systems for 24/7 operations, including monitoring, backup, and capacity planning.
• Implement infrastructure controls per NIST SP 800-171 and export controls in partnership with IT and security teams, supporting audits.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership: mentor a small team and coordinate with stakeholders and vendors.

Skills

Network engineering

Infrastructure design

Security best practices

Cloud networking

Project leadership

Job description

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy.

We are rapidly designing and building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system to achieve net facility gain (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems.

Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand. You can read more about us in this letter from our founders .

Why This Role Matters

We are looking for a Senior Controls Infrastructure Engineer to design, deploy, and operate the network, storage, and compute infrastructure supporting our facility's 24/7 operations. This is a regulated environment where security and segmentation are design requirements from day one.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of the facility infrastructure network and data storage architecture, spanning on-premises systems, cloud integrations, and remote connectivity.
• Design network segmentation and Zero Trust access patterns for scientific equipment and data management systems.
• Own performance, availability, and security of facility systems for 24/7 operations, including monitoring, backup, recovery, and capacity planning.
• Implement infrastructure controls consistent with NIST SP 800-171 and applicable export control regulations (ITAR/EAR) in partnership with the IT and security teams, and support risk assessments and audits.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership: mentor a small team as it grows, partner with scientific, facility, and corporate IT stakeholders, and manage vendors and procurement for facility infrastructure.

What You Bring

• 6+ years in network or infrastructure engineering with direct ownership of production network architecture at facility or campus scale, including routing, switching, firewalls, and segmentation.
• Experience supporting 24/7 operational environments with defined availability targets, including cloud networking and hybrid connectivity.
• Ability to lead projects end to end: requirements, design, deployment, verification, documentation.

Bonus Points For

• Experience in research, energy, or other high-consequence environments, lab or scientific equipment networks (instrument connectivity, OT/IoT segmentation), NIST SP 800-171 or CMMC exposure, professional-level certifications such as Security+, CCNP or equivalent, and infrastructure automation (IaC, configuration management).

Pay Range:

$138,100 - $207,100 USD

Total Compensation & Benefits for Eligible Employees

Equity plan

6% employer 401k matching

Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know.