Senior Mechanical Engineer - Pulsed Power

Fusion Energy Base; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Fusion Energy Base is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer - Pulsed Power to design, build, operate, and advance pulsed power systems for our experimental fusion platform. This hands-on, multidisciplinary role requires expertise across high-voltage systems, controls, diagnostics, and data analysis.

You will lead R&D workflows, collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and plasma physics teams, guide design reviews, and drive reliability and performance improvements on pulsed power subsystems.

Qualifications

• Design, build, and operate pulsed power systems and high-voltage architectures.
• Lead testing campaigns, data acquisition, and analysis to evaluate performance.
• Ensure safe, reliable operation of high-energy systems per safety protocols.
• Translate experimental results into actionable insights for next-generation pulser design.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and plasma physics teams to iterate designs.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate pulsed power systems, including high-voltage and high-current architectures and control systems for pulsed power operation, safety, and automation.
• Operate pulsed power systems during testing and data acquisition campaigns, including occasional work outside regular business hours.
• Ensure safe, reliable operation of high-energy systems in accordance with company safety protocols.
• Acquire, process, and analyze data from pulsed power experiments to evaluate system performance and stability.
• Develop tools and workflows for data collection, visualization, and interpretation.
• Translate experimental results into actionable insights for next-generation pulser design.
• Take ownership of pulsed power subsystem advancement and roadmap execution.
• Lead design reviews, experimental planning, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and plasma physics teams to iterate and improve designs.
• Drive continuous improvement in reliability, efficiency, and diagnostic capability.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Collaboration

Control systems

Programming (Python/MATLAB)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

MS/PhD in related field preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS

COMSOL Multiphysics

PSC/PSCAD

Job description

Why This Role Matters

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer - Pulsed Power to design, build, operate, and advance our pulsed power systems - the core of our experimental fusion platform. This role is deeply hands-on and multidisciplinary, requiring expertise across high-voltage systems, controls, diagnostics, and data analysis. The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth with the ability to lead R&D workflows, collaborate across disciplines, and take ownership of system performance and development.

What You'll Do

• Design, build, and operate pulsed power systems, including high-voltage and high-current architectures and control systems for pulsed power operation, safety, and automation.
• Operate pulsed power systems during testing and data acquisition campaigns, including occasional work outside regular business hours.
• Ensure safe, reliable operation of high-energy systems in accordance with company safety protocols.
• Acquire, process, and analyze data from pulsed power experiments to evaluate system performance and stability.
• Develop tools and workflows for data collection, visualization, and interpretation.
• Translate experimental results into actionable insights for next-generation pulser design.
• Take ownership of pulsed power subsystem advancement and roadmap execution.
• Lead design reviews, experimental planning, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and plasma physics teams to iterate and improve designs.
• Drive continuous improvement in reliability, efficiency, and diagnostic capability.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience designing complex systems.
• Experience designing, developing, testing and building prototype mechanical/electrical systems.
• Proven ability to deliver complex R&D projects on schedule, from concept to prototype to validation.
• Strong background in electronic design, control systems, and PLC software development.
• Proficiency in circuit simulations (e.g., SPICE, PSCAD, COMSOL, or similar) and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent tools.
• Familiarity with engineering modeling and CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, ANSYS, or COMSOL Multiphysics).

Bonus Points For

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• Prior experience with high-voltage pulsed systems for fusion, plasma research, or accelerator applications.
• Hands-on experience integrating diagnostics and controls for high-energy experiments.
• Knowledge of safety standards and best practices in high-voltage or high-energy environments.