Senior Mechanical Engineer, Vacuum Systems for Fusion Tech

Pacific Fusion; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

6% employer 401k matching

Generous paid time off

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Job summary

Pacific Fusion is building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system in Fremont, CA. This role focuses on design assembly and integration for testing key components of our pulser system, enabling reliable high‑vacuum environments and precision hardware for fusion experiments.

You will design and test vacuum systems, select components, prototype rapidly, and lead activities from concept development to onsite commissioning, while coordinating with cross‑functional teams to meet safety and quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 10 years specialized experience as a senior technician with design, testing and troubleshooting responsibilities.
• Expertise in high vacuum systems design, analysis, and construction.
• Hands-on experience with vacuum chambers, pumps, seals, valves, ducts and clean room techniques.
• Experience integrating electrical testing in vacuum and pressurized systems.
• Familiarity with ASME BPVC and B31.3 codes.
• Experience with radioactive or toxic gas vacuum systems or material characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and test advanced vacuum systems for target area chambers and diagnostics.
• Select and size vacuum components, ensuring performance in particle-free cryogenic environments.
• Rapid prototyping for fusion technology applications.
• Lead technical activities from concept development through final onsite commissioning of vacuum equipment.
• Support high-voltage electrical switching operations and testing in a vacuum chamber.
• Perform experiments to characterize materials for outgassing, permeability, and vacuum compatibility.
• Provide solutions to field issues related to vacuum system design and performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to educate and negotiate design requirements within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

High vacuum design

Vacuum components experience

Electrical testing in vacuum

Clean room techniques

ASME BPVC & B31.3

Machining

CREO

Rapid prototyping

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

CREO

Job description

Pacific Fusion is building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system in Fremont, CA. This role focuses on design assembly and integration for testing key components of our pulser system, enabling reliable high‑vacuum environments and precision hardware for fusion experiments.

You will design and test vacuum systems, select components, prototype rapidly, and lead activities from concept development to onsite commissioning, while coordinating with cross‑functional teams to meet safety and quality