Technical Program Coordinator

Physics World; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation + sick time

Job summary

TAE Technologies is seeking a Technical Program Coordinator for the Fusion Energy group to coordinate daily and long-term operations for the Norm (C-2W). You will act as the central liaison among scientists, technicians, and engineers to secure smooth campaign execution and machine readiness.

The role involves planning schedules, monitoring control room activities, managing proposal workflows, and supporting upgrades/vents. A background in R&D or lab ops with data skills is valuable.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of relevant experience in R&D lab, construction, or manufacturing.
• Preferred experience in laboratory operations, technical coordination, or project management.
• Familiarity with plasma physics, high-voltage systems, vacuum systems, or fusion energy science is a plus.
• Experience with data analysis and data visualization, preferably using Python and/or other programming languages.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain weekly operations schedules; plan experimental campaigns and optimize workflow.
• Serve as primary communication link for machine operations across teams; monitor control room activities.
• Manage the experimental proposal workflow; assist authors and technicians with change requests.
• Familiarize with C-2W subsystems; complete training and operate as C-2W machine operator or support roles.
• Record and track technical incidents, breakdowns, and maintenance issues; report on trends.
• Maintain databases for experimental activities and operational issues; conduct data analyses and quarterly reports.
• Support PMO and engineering team for Norm upgrade/vent activities; manage schedules and documentation.
• Coordinate testing, maintenance, and commissioning tasks to ensure readiness after upgrade/vent events.
• Occasionally assist with hands-on technical work on C-2W subsystems.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Data analysis

Python

Education

Bachelor’s or higher in Physics/Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Job Details

TAE Technologies is a leader in commercial fusion energy, founded in 1998 with a mission to deliver clean, sustainable energy to the world. Using our proprietary Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) technology, we are advancing toward the commercialization of aneutronic hydrogen-boron fusion. As we transition from the Norm to the Da Vinci commercial prototype, we seek dedicated professionals to support our critical experimental operations.

The Technical Program Coordinator for the Fusion Energy group supports and coordinates daily and longer-term operations for the Norm (C-2W), serving as a central point of communication between scientists, technicians, and engineers for operation-related activities. This role drives the smooth execution of experimental research campaigns and machine readiness by managing activities for experimental workflow, operational schedules, engineering days, and machine vents. The selected candidate is expected to participate in Norm operations as a machine operator or session support and will occasionally assist in maintaining the C-2W subsystems.

About The Job

• Build and maintain weekly operations schedules; plan experimental campaigns by grouping compatible experiments, coordinating machine changes, and optimizing workflow.
• Serve as the primary communication link for machine operations across multiple teams; monitor control room activities to track progress and quickly identify and help resolve issues.
• Manage the experimental proposal workflow process; assist authors and technicians with the process and change requests. Coordinate subsystem modification tasks for experimental proposals.
• Familiarize with C-2W subsystems; complete training and work as a C-2W machine operator or in other roles as needed to support operations.
• Implement processes to record and track technical incidents, breakdowns, and maintenance issues. Regularly track, follow up, and report on these.
• Maintain TAE databases for experimental activities and operational issues; conduct data analyses; quarterly report operational trends and machine performance metrics.
• Support the PMO and engineering team for Norm upgrade/vent activities by helping develop, manage, and maintain the upgrade/vent schedule and documentation.
• Coordinate testing, maintenance, and commissioning tasks to ensure operational readiness following upgrade/vent events or machine configuration changes.
• Occasionally assist with hands-on technical work on C-2W subsystems.

About You

• 1-2 years of relevant experience in R&D lab, construction, or manufacturing required.
• Preferred experience in laboratory operations, technical coordination, or project management.
• Familiarity with plasma physics, high-voltage systems, vacuum systems, or fusion energy science is a plus.
• Experience with data analysis and data visualization, preferably using Python and/or other programming languages.

Desired Skills

• Approachable, empathetic, and team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with project management tools (Jira, Confluence) and scheduling software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Education

Required: B.S. (Preferred M.S.) in Physics, Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

At TAE Technologies, we consider a wide range of factors when making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and job-related knowledge, training; licenses and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements depending on the position offered . $75,000 - $85,000

About Us

We are a diverse team of over 500 engineers, scientists, professionals, Maxwell Prize winners, and big thinkers from more than 40 countries with a track record of delivering on the innovative ways science can lead humanity into a brighter era. We are not afraid to envision a future where fusion and science can transform our world.

Imagination, skill, and will

We are a diverse team of over 500 engineers, scientists, professionals, Maxwell Prize winners, and big thinkers from more than 40 countries with a track record of delivering on the innovative ways science can lead humanity into a brighter era. We are not afraid to envision a future where fusion and science can transform our world.

What You'll Get With Us

• Generous benefits such as Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (K) with company match, paid vacation + sick time, companywide December holiday, wellness program, parental leave
• Payment rewards: For referring talent, novel research, and patents
• A collaborative environment: An organization where talents and interests can plug in to different groups throughout the organization
• Potential for equity participation
• HQ in Southern CaliforniaEmployee events on and off-site
• A commitment to upholding and growing an inclusive organization

Learn more

tae.com

Our podcast Good Clean Energy

Instagram

LinkedIn

TAE Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

We ensure all individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us [e-mail] to request accommodations or request more information.

Note to Agencies

TAE prefers to hire directly and maintains an existing preferred supplier list. We do not accept speculative CVs or referrals from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable.