Foothill Ranch, California, United States Scientist - Plasma Fueling & Wall Conditioning
Description
TAE is the world's first private fusion energy company, founded in 1998 to commercialize the cleanest, safest, most affordable, and sustainable form of carbon-free power. We are applying science and engineering to design transformational technologies. Whether it's harnessing fusion through the science of stars, making exponential leaps in power efficiency, or innovating medical care with a novel cancer treatment: We're turning the promise of science into reality.
We're looking for candidates who are passionate about realizing our mission: A future where all people have affordable access to reliable, abundant, and environmentally friendly fusion-generated electricity.
About the Role
The Plasma Fueling & Wall Conditioning Scientist contributes to the Particle Control Group within TAE's Experimental Section. The group is responsible for developing and maintaining plasma fueling systems, implementing particle recycling control techniques (such as gettering and glow discharge cleaning), and designing and analyzing experiments related to particle transport. The group includes staff scientists with expertise in fueling, wall conditioning, and experimental design.
In this role, the Scientist contributes individual scientific research and technical work within the group, working under the technical direction of the Lead Scientist. This is an individual-contributor position with room to grow technical depth and leadership within the group over time.
- Support the development, operation, and continuous improvement of plasma fueling systems (e.g., cold gas injection, pellet injection), including fueling system topology and best practices.
- Support and maintain wall conditioning systems for particle recycling control, including titanium gettering and glow discharge cleaning systems.
- Design and execute experiments focused on particle transport, wall conditions, and plasma–material interactions.
- Provide regular analysis and reporting of system data (e.g., vacuum conditions, fueling efficiency, wall conditioning effectiveness); contribute to scientific publications.
- Collaborate closely with other members of the Particle Control Group and across technical groups in a matrixed project environment.
- Contribute to the planning and design of future fusion devices, such as Da Vinci, with a focus on fueling and plasma–wall interface strategies.
- Maintain responsibility for test stands within the group's scope, ensuring alignment with experimental objectives.
- Occasionally represent TAE in external settings such as conferences, collaborations, or recruiting events.
- Promote and embody TAE's Core Values, Rules of the Road, and Culture of Safety.
About You
We welcome applications from recent Ph.D. graduates as well as candidates with postdoctoral or industry research experience. We prioritize candidates who bring depth of expertise, at a lead-researcher level, in at least one or two of these areas, along with working familiarity across the rest:
- Plasma scientific research, including laboratory experiments, diagnostics, and data analysis
- Plasma fueling systems such as puff valves, pellet injectors, or neutral beams
- Wall conditioning techniques such as glow discharge cleaning, evaporable gettering, or machine baking
- Plasma–wall interactions
- Particle transport experiments, modeling, or analysis
Other Preferred Experience:
- Experience contributing to or helping coordinate large-scale scientific projects and/or collaborations
Technical Experience (Equipment, tools, etc.):
- Understanding of the application of tools, test equipment, and process control such as high voltage power supplies, voltmeters, oscilloscopes, ionization gauges
- Utilization of pneumatics and high speed gas valves
- Experience with cryogenics is preferred
Software Knowledge and Skills:
- MS Office Suite
- Experience with project collaboration platforms and document management systems preferred
- Experience with scientific analysis languages (Python, Matlab, IDL, etc.) preferred
Education
- Required: Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field (new graduates welcome to apply)
- Preferred: Postdoctoral research experience in plasma physics or a closely related field
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 (non-Sr., Sr., Lead or Manager). $115,000 – $140,000 (indicative range for an individual-contributor Scientist level — adjust to your internal bands)
About Us
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 California
- Employee 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 at [email protected] 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.
