Senior Mechanical Engineer - Pulsed Power

About the company

Pacific Fusion is an inertial confinement fusion startup developing pulser modules and a demonstration fusion power plant.

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><h2><strong>About Pacific Fusion</strong></h2> <p>Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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&nbsp;<a href="https://pacificfusion.com/updates/founders-letter" target="_blank"><u>this letter from our founders</u></a>.</p></div><h1><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Why This Role Matters</strong></span></h1> <p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">We are seeking a highly motivated&nbsp;<strong>Senior </strong><strong>Mechanical Engineer - Pulsed Power </strong>to design, build, operate, and advance our pulsed power systems — the core of our experimental fusion platform. This role is deeply hands-on and multidisciplinary, requiring expertise across high-voltage systems, controls, diagnostics, and data analysis. The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth with the ability to lead R&amp;D workflows, collaborate across disciplines, and take ownership of system performance and development.</p> <h2><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What You'll Do</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li> <p>Design, build, and operate pulsed power systems, including high-voltage and high-current architectures and control systems for pulsed power operation, safety, and automation.</p> </li> <li> <p>Operate pulsed power systems during testing and data acquisition campaigns, including occasional work outside regular business hours.</p> </li> <li> <p>Ensure safe, reliable operation of high-energy systems in accordance with company safety protocols.</p> </li> <li> <p>Acquire, process, and analyze data from pulsed power experiments to evaluate system performance and stability.</p> </li> <li> <p>Develop tools and workflows for data collection, visualization, and interpretation.</p> </li> <li> <p>Translate experimental results into actionable insights for next-generation pulser design.</p> </li> <li> <p>Take ownership of pulsed power subsystem advancement and roadmap execution.</p> </li> <li> <p>Lead design reviews, experimental planning, and technical documentation.</p> </li> <li> <p>Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and plasma physics teams to iterate and improve designs.</p> </li> <li> <p>Drive continuous improvement in reliability, efficiency, and diagnostic capability.</p> </li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What You Bring</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li> <p>Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.</p> </li> <li> <p>5+ years of demonstrated experience designing complex systems.</p> </li> <li>Experience designing, developing, testing and building prototype mechanical/electrical systems.</li> <li>Proven ability to deliver complex R&amp;D projects on schedule, from concept to prototype to validation.</li> <li> <p>Strong background in electronic design, control systems, and PLC software development.</p> </li> <li> <p>Proficiency in circuit simulations (e.g., SPICE, PSCAD, COMSOL, or similar) and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent tools.</p> </li> <li> <p>Familiarity with engineering modeling and CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, ANSYS, or COMSOL Multiphysics).</p> </li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Bonus Points For</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li> <p>Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.</p> </li> <li> <p>Prior experience with high-voltage pulsed systems for fusion, plasma research, or accelerator applications.</p> </li> <li> <p>Hands-on experience integrating diagnostics and controls for high-energy experiments.</p> </li> <li> <p>Knowledge of safety standards and best practices in high-voltage or high-energy environments.</p> </li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: </div><div class="pay-range"><span>$140,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$200,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Total Compensation &amp; Benefits for Eligible Employees</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Industry-competitive salary</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Equity plan</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">6% employer 401k matching</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance</span></p> </li> </ul> <p><em>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 yo