Senior Vacuum Systems Engineer for Fusion Hardware

Avalanche Energy; Tukwila (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

10 paid holidays and December holiday

Generous paid vacation and sick time

Equity in stock options

Job summary

Avalanche Energy, a Washington-based startup, seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer with deep vacuum-system expertise to design, build, and maintain the vacuum and mechanical infrastructure for compact fusion devices.

You will perform CAD modeling, select components, fabricate, assemble, test, and troubleshoot high- or ultra-high-vacuum hardware, working hands-on in a lab and machine shop environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
• 8-12 years of post-degree experience in hands-on mechanical engineering roles with focus on vacuum systems.
• Strong fundamentals in structural analysis, thermal systems, fluid mechanics, and materials selection.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD tools for design, assembly modeling, and drawings.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems supporting fusion experiments and lab infrastructure.
• Collaborate with physicists and engineers from concept through fabrication and iteration.
• Specify, procure, fabricate, and test mechanical hardware including vacuum vessels and precision assemblies.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and vacuum systems, diagnosing leaks, thermal issues, and alignment problems.
• Support experiment operation by setting up and validating mechanical systems and diagnostics.
• Provide mechanical insight into results and failure modes; contribute to lab process improvements.

Skills

Hands-on problem solving

Hardware assembly

Lab work

Vacuum systems

Fabrication

Troubleshooting

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

3D CAD tools

Job description

Avalanche Energy, a Washington-based startup, seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer with deep vacuum-system expertise to design, build, and maintain the vacuum and mechanical infrastructure for compact fusion devices.

You will perform CAD modeling, select components, fabricate, assemble, test, and troubleshoot high- or ultra-high-vacuum hardware, working hands-on in a lab and machine shop environment.