Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fusion Lab & Vacuum

Avalanche Energy; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental and vision

Holiday and vacation time

Equity opportunity

Team meals and on-site events

Job summary

Avalanche Energy, a Seattle-based startup, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems for compact fusion devices. You will work hands-on with CAD modeling, fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting in a lab environment, collaborating with physicists and engineers to iterate hardware quickly.

The role requires a strong background in mechanical engineering, vacuum systems, and thermal management, with 5–8 years of post‑degree experience.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in mechanical engineering or closely related field.
• 5-8 years of post-degree experience in hands-on mechanical engineering roles, preferably in a laboratory or experimental hardware environment.
• Strong command of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including structural analysis, thermal systems, fluid mechanics, and materials selection.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent) for design, assembly modeling, and drawing generation.
• Experience designing, assembling, and operating vacuum systems, including familiarity with pumping systems, gauging, and leak checking.
• Experience with thermal management design, including heat transfer analysis, cooling system design, and thermal interface materials.
• Experience working with machine shops and fabrication processes, including tolerance specification, GD&T, and hands-on assembly of precision mechanical hardware.
• Familiarity with FEA tools for structural or thermal analysis (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent).
• Comfort working directly with physical hardware in a laboratory or machine shop environment, including hands-on assembly, installation, and test.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems supporting fusion experiments, diagnostics, and laboratory infrastructure.
• Work alongside physicists and engineers to conceive, implement, and refine mechanical systems for experimental hardware, from initial concept through fabrication, assembly, and iteration.
• Specify, procure, fabricate, and test mechanical hardware including vacuum vessels, structural mounts, thermal interfaces, feedthroughs, and precision mechanical assemblies.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting of mechanical and vacuum systems, diagnosing issues related to leaks, thermal performance, structural loading, alignment, and hardware fit-up.
• Support experiment operation by setting up, validating, and maintaining mechanical systems, vacuum hardware, and associated diagnostics.
• Provide mechanical insight into experimental results, helping interpret hardware performance, system behavior, and failure modes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of lab mechanical practices, documentation, fabrication standards, and build processes.

Skills

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

3D CAD understood

Vacuum systems design

Thermal management

Material selection

Hands-on fabrication

GD&T

FEA tools

Lab equipment operation

Education

B.S. in mechanical engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

3D CAD

Vacuum pumps & gauges

Job description

Avalanche Energy, a Seattle-based startup, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems for compact fusion devices. You will work hands-on with CAD modeling, fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting in a lab environment, collaborating with physicists and engineers to iterate hardware quickly.

The role requires a strong background in mechanical engineering, vacuum systems, and thermal management, with 5–8 years of post‑degree experience.