Senior HTS Magnet Cryogenics Engineer

Lever, Inc.; Kearny (NJ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Stock options

PTO 20 days

Job summary

Thea Energy is seeking a Senior HTS Magnet Cryogenics Engineer to lead thermal and cryogenic design for next‑gen HTS systems in New Jersey. You will bridge HTS coil performance, cooling circuits, and thermal isolation to deliver reliable high‑field magnets.

With 8+ years in cryogenic engineering, you will mentor junior staff and work with magnet designers, electrical engineers, and manufacturing teams to advance fusion energy projects.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in cryogenic engineering for superconducting magnets.
• Experience with HTS preferred; HTS/LTS mix understood.
• Strong background in vacuum tech and low-temperature materials.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate cryogenic cooling for HTS magnets and test facilities.
• Perform thermal, fluid, and structural FEA to optimize temps and quench margins.
• Select and procure cryogenic hardware including cryocoolers and vessels.
• Lead cryogenic testing and validation of HTS prototypes from 20K to 77K.
• Troubleshoot leaks, vacuum issues, and integration during campaigns.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with magnet designers and manufacturing.

Skills

Vacuum tech

HTS magnet systems

Cryogenic cooling design

Thermal simulation

FEA modeling

Cryogen lab experience

Quench protection

Leadership

CAD (SolidWorks/NX)

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Aerospace/Applied Physics

PhD preferred

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

About Thea Energy:

Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Senior HTS Magnet Cryogenics Engineer with at least 8 years of hands‑on expertise to lead the thermal and cryogenic design of next-generation High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnet systems and associated test facilities. You will bridge the gap between HTS coil performance, complex cryogenic cooling circuits, and thermal isolation to deliver reliable high-field magnet systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, model, and integrate cryogenic cooling systems (conduction-cooled, cryo-fluid loops, or liquid helium/nitrogen systems) for HTS magnet assemblies.
• Perform thermal, fluid, and structural FEA modeling (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL) to optimize temperature profiles, cooling margins, and quench behavior.
• Select, specify, and procure cryogenic hardware, including cryocoolers, thermal straps, current leads, vacuum vessels, and instrumentation.
• Lead cryogenic testing, commissioning, and validation of HTS magnet prototypes from 20K up to 77K environments.
• Troubleshoot thermal leaks, vacuum degradation, and cryogenic system integration issues during test campaigns.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate directly with magnet designers, electrical engineers, and manufacturing teams.

Required Qualifications:

Experience:

• 8+ years of dedicated professional experience in cryogenic engineering, specifically applied to superconducting magnet systems (HTS preferred; LTS with strong HTS understanding is considered).

Education:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field (Ph.D. preferred).

Technical Skills:

• Deep expertise in vacuum technology, and low-temperature material properties.
• Proven experience in cooling superconducting magnets – MRI, accelerators or fusion systems
• Proven experience with cryogenic refrigeration systems (Gifford-McMahon, Pulse Tube, or Stirling cryocoolers or large cryoplants).
• Proficiency in thermal simulation software (ANSYS, COMSOL, or Thermal Desktop) and CAD systems (SolidWorks or NX).
• Practical laboratory experience with cryogens (LN_2, LHe), vacuum leak detection, and sensor integration (cernox, thermocouples).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with HTS tape technologies (2G REBCO) and quench protection thermal modeling.
• Hands-on design of high-current thermal leads (binary or HTS lead assemblies).
• Background in building cryogenic test facilities for fusion energy, MRI/NMR systems, high‑energy physics, or aerospace HTS applications.

Company Benefits:

• Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
• Employee equity stock options
• 20 days PTO

$140,000 - $180,000 a year

Diversity and Inclusion:

Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.