Senior Project Engineer (Steel Structures)

STEM Boomerang; Los Lunas (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Full benefits

Equity

Job summary

Pacific Fusion is seeking a Senior Project Engineer – Steel Structures to lead heavy fabrication and installation of structural steel systems for fusion energy hardware. You will manage procurement, contract work, and on-site delivery across multiple sites, coordinating with design, supply chain, and fabrication teams.

The role requires 5+ years in project engineering or related roles, familiarity with welding standards, and travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/civil/construction engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in project engineering, fabrication, or industrial construction.
• Experience managing complex vendor-built scopes (welded assemblies, structural steel).

Responsibilities

• Own execution of heavy fabrication and steel structures scopes across suppliers, internal stakeholders, and build sites.
• Convert design intent into executable work by driving RFQs, scope alignment, bid review, PO readiness, and fabrication kickoff.
• Build and maintain execution plans covering engineering, procurement, fabrication, inspection, shipment, installation, and closeout.
• Coordinate with design, supply chain, quality, construction, finance, and leadership to keep critical paths moving.
• Drive vendor engagement from pre-award through delivery, including schedule tracking and risk management.
• Develop fabrication work packages, inspection documentation, and turnover packages.
• Support planning across San Leandro, CA; Albuquerque, NM; and supplier locations; travel up to 50%.
• Ensure work meets safety, quality, cost, and schedule standards.
• Identify blockers early and drive practical solutions to maintain momentum.

Skills

Project coordination

Vendor management

Reading engineering drawings

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

AWS D1.1

AWS D1.6

ASME B31.3

Job description

Los Lunas, United States | Posted on 08/17/2026

Pacific Fusion aims 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 plansare 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 Join Us:

• Build what doesn’t exist yet– Work on first-of-its-kind advanced energy infrastructure in a fast-moving, technically ambitious environment
• Grow with us:Work alongside leading engineers, operators, and investors in a mission-driven and ambitious environment
• Competitive pay, full benefits, and equityin a company shaping the future of energy and space

Pacific Fusion is seeking an experienced & versatileSenior Project Engineer – Steel Structuresto join our dynamic team and create the path to commercial fusion energy. You will lead the procurement, contract management, installation and commissioning of structural steel systems such as tanks, equipment platforms, and structural steel components for holding, lifting, moving and positioning critical equipment.

This role requires a top-tier combination of engineering skills, technical expertise, fabrication and construction experience, problem-solving skills, and a proactive mindset to meet the exciting challenges in the field of fusion energy. As a senior engineer, you will be responsible for turnkey delivery and installation in enabling our fusion technology.

What You’ll Do:

• Own execution of heavy fabrication and steel structures scopes across suppliers, internal stakeholders, and build sites
• Convert design intent into executable work by driving requests for quotation, scope alignment, technical bid review, purchase order readiness, and fabrication kickoff
• Build and maintain detailed execution plans covering engineering deliverables, procurement, fabrication, inspection, shipment, site readiness, installation, and closeout
• Coordinate closely with design, supply chain, quality, construction, finance, and leadership to keep critical path scopes moving
• Drive vendor engagement from pre-award through delivery, including schedule tracking, technical clarification, progress reviews, risk identification, and recovery planning
• Develop and manage fabrication work packages, inspection documentation, nonconformance tracking, and turnover packages
• Support fabrication and installation planning across San Leandro, CA, Albuquerque, NM, and supplier locations, with travel up to 50 percent as needed
• Ensure work is executed to the required standards for safety, quality, cost, and schedule
• Identify blockers early, elevate clearly, and drive practical solutions to maintain program momentum

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degreein mechanical engineering, civil engineering, construction engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experiencein project engineering, fabrication, manufacturing, industrial construction, or related technical execution roles
• Experience managing complex vendor-built scopesinvolving welded assemblies, structural steel, machined components, or industrial systems
• Working knowledge of welding, fabrication, inspection, and manufacturing documentation
• Familiarity with AWS D1.1, AWS D1.6 or ASME B31.3, and associated industry standards and practices
• Ability to read engineering drawings, specifications, requests for quotation, inspection plans, and construction or fabrication scopes
• Strong schedule management and cross-functional coordination skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to drive clarity across technical and non-technical teams
• Willingness to travel up to 50 percent between San Leandro, vendors, and Albuquerque build sites

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in fusion, aerospace, energy, shipbuilding, heavy industrial, or other first-of-a-kind hardware environments
• Experience owning supplier scopes from request for quotation through fabrication, delivery, and field installation
• Familiarity with field fit-up, weld inspection, nonconformance resolution, and installation sequencing
• Hands-on familiarity with welding, fabrication, and construction means and methods
• Experience with large stainless steel structures, vacuum hardware, pressure systems, or custom tooling
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with evolving designs and aggressive schedules

• Full range of competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, and PTO