Senior Scientist, Real-Time Plasma Control & AI

Fusion Energy Base; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation and sick time

Parental leave

Equity participation potential

Collaborative work environment

HQ in Southern California

Employee events

Job summary

TAE Technologies in Orange County, CA is seeking a Sr. Scientist of Plasma Control to maintain and advance the RTPCS for the current fusion device and design next-generation systems.

The role blends fusion science, plasma physics, non-linear control and FPGA-based embedded systems, requiring deep expertise across multiple disciplines. The candidate will lead a cross-functional team, collaborate with experimental groups, and publish results while aligning development with commercial fusion

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental plasma physics and magnetic confinement fusion research.
• Proven expertise in real-time control systems, including FPGA hardware and firmware development.
• Experience programming multitasking real-time operating systems and embedded control systems.
• Proficiency in embedded C/C++ programming.
• Knowledge of System design for embedded platforms using Model-Based Design (Matlab/Simulink/Stateflow).
• Excellent leadership, team management and communication skills.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with Plasma Control Team leadership to develop strategy, design, integration and execution of RTPCS on C‑2W.
• Collaborate with experimental team to define and implement control algorithms for plasma stability and performance optimization.
• Maintain and enhance RTPCS capabilities on C‑2W.
• Design and develop next-generation RTPS for future fusion devices.
• Coordinate a multidisciplinary team of physicists, engineers and computer scientists to foster innovation.
• Publish findings, present at conferences and engage the broader fusion community.
• Align plasma control development with organizational milestones toward commercial fusion energy.
• Stay abreast of technological developments relevant to fusion plasma control.
• Build and nurture relationships with external partners in fusion plasma control.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Multitasking

Team management

Education

Ph.D. in Physics

Tools

FPGA

Embedded C/C++

Matlab/Simulink/Stateflow

Job description

TAE Technologies in Orange County, CA is seeking a Sr. Scientist of Plasma Control to maintain and advance the RTPCS for the current fusion device and design next-generation systems.

The role blends fusion science, plasma physics, non-linear control and FPGA-based embedded systems, requiring deep expertise across multiple disciplines. The candidate will lead a cross-functional team, collaborate with experimental groups, and publish results while aligning development with commercial fusion