Senior Target Fabrication Engineer - Assembly

Pacific Fusion Corporation; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

401k matching

Paid time off

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Job summary

Pacific Fusion Corporation is seeking a Senior Target Fabrication Engineer to bridge target design and production. You will lead precision assembly of complex fusion targets with micron-level accuracy, manage end-to-end delivery, and ensure schedules and budgets are met.

This role anchors cross-functional collaboration between scientists, engineers, and fabrication technicians. Join a fast-growing team advancing a pulser-driven inertial fusion program, with equity and generous benefits, and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; a Master’s or PhD is a plus.
• Proven experience in project management within a precision engineering environment, specifically managing the delivery of complex assemblies.
• Hands-on expertise in precision assembly techniques and a deep understanding of GD&T and technical drawings.
• Ability to drive a project through all stages of development, from initial concept and prototyping to high-cadence internal delivery.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to act as a technical liaison between scientists, engineers, and fabrication technicians.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling for the design of assembly jigs, fixtures, and handling equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of fusion targets to internal departments, ensuring all technical requirements, budgets, and schedules are met.
• Lead the precision assembly of complex target systems, utilizing specialized techniques to integrate components with micron-level accuracy.
• Coordinate across working groups to understand internal customer requirements and translate them into actionable fabrication and assembly plans.
• Design and implement assembly fixtures and specialized tooling to improve the repeatability and reliability of target builds.
• Establish project timelines and resource plans to transition from R&D prototypes to a high-throughput production environment.
• Oversee quality control and documentation for delivered targets, ensuring each assembly meets rigorous design intent and inspection standards.

Skills

Project management

Precision assembly techniques

GD&T

Technical drawings

Communication skills

CAD modeling

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission 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 plans are 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 This Role Matters

Pacific Fusion is looking for a Senior Target Fabrication Engineer specializing in precision assembly and project management to join our growing target fabrication team. In this role, you will be a primary bridge between target design and physical realization, ensuring that complex, high-precision assemblies are delivered on schedule. Your work in managing the lifecycle of these targets from component sourcing to final integration is critical to maintaining the high-cadence production on the road to commercial fusion energy.

What You'll Do

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of fusion targets to internal departments, ensuring all technical requirements, budgets, and schedules are met.
• Lead the precision assembly of complex target systems, utilizing specialized techniques to integrate components with micron-level accuracy.
• Coordinate across working groups to understand internal customer requirements and translate them into actionable fabrication and assembly plans.
• Design and implement assembly fixtures and specialized tooling to improve the repeatability and reliability of target builds.
• Establish project timelines and resource plans to transition from R&D prototypes to a high-throughput production environment.
• Oversee quality control and documentation for delivered targets, ensuring each assembly meets rigorous design intent and inspection standards.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; a Master’s or PhD is a plus.
• Proven experience in project management within a precision engineering environment, specifically managing the delivery of complex assemblies.
• Hands-on expertise in precision assembly techniques and a deep understanding of GD&T and technical drawings.
• Ability to drive a project through all stages of development, from initial concept and prototyping to high-cadence internal delivery.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to act as a technical liaison between scientists, engineers, and fabrication technicians.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling for the design of assembly jigs, fixtures, and handling equipment.

Bonus Points For

• Experience managing small-scale, high-complexity hardware with micron-level tolerances and delicate material interfaces.
• Deep understanding of chemical and material bonding techniques that includes glue, epoxy, soldering, and precision welding.
• Background in automated assembly or developing semi-automated systems for a production environment.
• Familiarity with cleanroom operations and cryogenic vacuum systems.
• Knowledge of advanced metrology for verifying complex 3D assemblies, such as radiography or tomography.

Pay Range:

$175,900 - $263,800 USD

TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

• Equity plan
• 6% employer 401k matching
• Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.

EQUAL OPPORTUNTITY

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE

This position may require access to information or technology that is subject to U.S. export control laws, such as ITAR or EAR. Under these regulations, we are required to ensure that such access is provided only to individuals who are classified as 'U.S. Persons.' This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

RECRUITING AGENCIES

Pacific Fusion does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. In the absence of such agreement, Pacific Fusion reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Pacific Fusion hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.