Senior Vacuum Systems Mechanical Engineer – Lab Hardware

Avalanche; Tukwila (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental, and vision

10 paid holidays and December break

Generous paid vacation and sick time

Equity in stock options

Team meals and events

Job summary

Avalanche Energy, a Seattle-based start‑up focused on compact fusion devices, seeks a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems for cutting‑edge experiments. You will work on vacuum hardware, thermal management, and lab infrastructure, performing CAD modeling, fabrication, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting in a hands‑on environment.

This deeply technical role requires experience with vacuum systems, GD&T, materials selection, and collaboration with

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
• 2-5 years of post‑degree experience in hands‑on mechanical engineering roles in a laboratory or experimental hardware environment.
• Strong command of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including structural analysis, thermal systems, fluid mechanics, and materials selection.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent) for design, assembly modeling, and drawing generation.
• Experience designing, assembling, and operating vacuum systems, including familiarity with pumping systems, gauging, and leak checking.
• Experience with thermal management design, including heat transfer analysis, cooling system design, and thermal interface materials.
• Experience working with machine shops and fabrication processes, including tolerance specification, GD&T, and hands‑on assembly of precision mechanical hardware.
• Familiarity with FEA tools for structural or thermal analysis (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent).
• Comfort working directly with physical hardware in a laboratory or machine shop environment, including hands‑on assembly, installation, and test.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems supporting fusion experiments, diagnostics, and laboratory infrastructure.
• Work alongside physicists and engineers to conceive, implement, and refine mechanical systems for experimental hardware, from initial concept through fabrication, assembly, and iteration.
• Specify, procure, fabricate, and test mechanical hardware including vacuum vessels, structural mounts, thermal interfaces, feedthroughs, and precision mechanical assemblies.
• Perform hands‑on troubleshooting of mechanical and vacuum systems, diagnosing issues related to leaks, thermal performance, structural loading, alignment, and hardware fit‑up.
• Support experiment operation by setting up, validating, and maintaining mechanical systems, vacuum hardware, and associated diagnostics.
• Provide mechanical insight into experimental results, helping interpret hardware performance, system behavior, and failure modes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of lab mechanical practices, documentation, fabrication standards, and build processes.

Skills

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA)

Vacuum systems

Thermal management

FEA (ANSYS/Abaqus)

Machine shop hands-on

GD&T

Lab equipment

Education

B.S. in mechanical engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Avalanche Energy, a Seattle-based start‑up focused on compact fusion devices, seeks a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems for cutting‑edge experiments. You will work on vacuum hardware, thermal management, and lab infrastructure, performing CAD modeling, fabrication, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting in a hands‑on environment.

This deeply technical role requires experience with vacuum systems, GD&T, materials selection, and collaboration with