Inertia Enterprises is a fusion energy startup developing ultra-powerful lasers for inertial-confinement fusion power plants.
Overview: We are seeking a Cryogenics Engineer to lead the design and development of systems for layering the DT fuel in inertial fusion energy (IFE) targets. This will span prototypes to mass production systems where target throughput is at a few Hertz rate. The system will take a stream of targets at room temperature, to cryogenic temperature for condensing and layering the DT fuel and then pass the targets to a target injector (launcher) for acceleration into the power plant chamber. The cryogenics for housing the injector will be part of the development. Together these form key components for fueling the Inertia fusion power plant. What You'll Do: - Design and develop cryogenics systems for layering fuel in IFE targets. - Design and develop cryogenic systems for housing target injectors and assist in target injector design. - Develop tests to evaluate cryogenic system performance and analyze test results. - Assist with other power plant cryogenic projects including tritium recovery and purification systems, and chamber gas purification and recirculation systems. What You'll Bring: Required: - PhD or MS, or experience equivalent, in Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, or related field. - Demonstrated ability to design and develop complex cryogenics systems. - Demonstrated ability to model static heat loads, transient cool downs in cryogenic systems. - Strong analytical data/measurement skills. Preferred: - Experience with cryogenic mechanical and fluid handling systems. - Experience design systems for handling deuterium tritium (DT). - Experience with fusion cryogenic systems. - Experience with a variety of closed loop cryogenic plant equipment. - Experience with FEM or FDM codes. Salary & Benefits: - The base salary range for this role is $125,000 - $200,000; The pay range provided is an estimated base range for this role. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and education. - We offer market-competitive compensation and an excellent benefits program, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, company-paid holidays, matching 401k, and more! About Inertia: Inertia is taking the most direct, scientifically-proven path to commercializing fusion, leveraging the only successful achievement of fusion ignition, using a process that was pioneered at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). With groundbreaking innovation, transformative technology, and multi-year investment, Inertia is committed to commercializing fusion energy in the next decade. This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls, security classification and/or designation as Controlled Unclassified Information. Employment in this position is conditioned on the candidate’s eligibility for, obtaining and maintaining appropriate government authorization to access technology or information, to the extent required, including without limitation a security clearance, export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items technology or information.