Lead Fusion Engineer Plasma Neutron Source

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Fusion Engineer, Plasma Neutron Source

Role summary

We are hiring a hands-on fusion engineer to own our first plasma neutron source and take it from a finished preliminary design to a commissioned, operating system.

Title | Lead Fusion Engineer, Plasma Neutron Source
Reports to | Chief Technology Officer
Type | Full-time, exempt
Location | Onsite, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

You will own the program end to end: closing the open design decisions, completing procurement, leading assembly and integration, writing and running commissioning, and establishing the safety case. Success in year one is a vacuum- and HV-commissioned system that produces stable plasma under signed procedures.

About AMPERA and the program

AMPERA is developing compact fusion-based neutron sources as part of its advanced nuclear energy technology. This role leads our first experimental neutron source, a plasma-based system that combines high voltage, RF power and ultra-high vacuum.

The program is multi-phase. It starts with plasma generation and model validation, then scales toward the neutron output our applications require.

Where the project stands today

• Preliminary design is complete, with a full engineering package, equipment and interface registers, and draft commissioning procedures.
• Major equipment is selected and procurement is underway, including a custom vacuum chamber.
• The system is not yet built. You will lead it from here: design closure, build, commissioning and first operation.

What you'll deliver in year one

First 30 days

• Audit the design package, the lab and every purchase record.
• Reconcile ordered versus received equipment with Supply Chain.
• Publish a dated closure plan for the open design decisions.

By day 90

• Chamber drawings released and the vacuum vessel order confirmed.
• High-voltage terminations, discharge switch and RF supplier selected.
• Supplier approvals for gas service secured and the hazard analysis drafted.

By day 180

• Cleanroom, stand, utilities and racks installed.
• Chamber received, assembled and helium leak-checked.
• Controls, I/O and the high-voltage interlock chain built and tested.

By day 365

• High voltage conditioned to full rating under signed procedures.
• First plasma, characterized with full diagnostics.
• First neutron measurements and model-validation data.

Key responsibilities

Area                      What you will do

Design closure | Take ownership of the preliminary engineering package. Close open design decisions, lead independent review and sign-off, and put the design under change control.

High voltage | Own the high-voltage system end to end: feed path, terminations, field management, grounding and discharge, and a safety-rated interlock chain.

RF plasma source | Complete RF generator, matching and antenna integration. Achieve reliable plasma ignition and operation.

Vacuum and gas | Commission the UHV pumping, gauging, valving and leak detection. Bring the process gas, exhaust and gas-monitoring systems to an approved design.

Diagnostics and radiation | Bring up the plasma diagnostics and the neutron and gamma detection systems. Establish yield measurement and dosimetry.

Controls and safety | Architect the control and data acquisition system. Lead hazard analysis across all energy sources and radiation. Own the radiation safety, facility and permitting interfaces.

Procurement and vendors | Own technical scope for RFPs and quotes, lead specialized equipment suppliers, and work with Supply Chain to track every item from order to installation.

Build and commissioning | Lead lab setup, assembly and integration. Write and run the commissioning, operating and maintenance procedures through each gate.

Team and reporting | Hire and direct technicians and contractors. Coordinate university partners. Report schedule, budget, risk and results to the CTO.

Required qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in plasma physics, nuclear engineering, electrical engineering or applied physics. Equivalent industry experience is also accepted.
• At least 7 years of hands-on experience building and operating experimental plasma, accelerator, ion-source or pulsed-power systems, including at least one taken from design through commissioning.
• Direct experience with high-voltage DC systems at 50 kV or above: feedthroughs, cable terminations, field management, grounding and discharge, and HV safety interlocks.
• Practical high- and ultra-high-vacuum experience: CF and KF hardware, turbo and dry pumps, gauging, RGA and helium leak detection.
• Experience with RF plasma sources or RF power delivery (13.56 MHz generators, matching networks, antenna or coil design).
• A record of writing and executing hazard analyses, commissioning procedures and operating procedures for hazardous equipment, including lockout/tagout and two-person rules.
• Comfort leading suppliers and translating designs into RFPs, specifications and acceptance criteria.
• Ability to work onsite full time in a hands-on lab and build environment.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with fusion devices, neutron generators or other neutron-producing systems.
• Radiation safety knowledge: neutron and gamma detection (He-3, scintillators), dosimetry, shielding, and working with a Radiation Safety Officer and state licensing.
• Hydrogen or deuterium gas handling: flammable gas panels, exhaust dilution, gas detection.
• Electrostatic or RF field simulation (COMSOL, FEM, NEC) and validating models against measurements.
• Data acquisition and controls with NI LabVIEW and cRIO or similar, plus Python for analysis.
• Experience in a startup or small team, standing up a lab from an empty room: utilities, cleanroom, lifting and facility permits.
• Mentoring engineers, technicians or university capstone teams.

Working conditions

• Environment. Lab, cleanroom and build area work around high voltage, RF power, pressurized and flammable gases, vacuum systems, overhead lifting and ionizing radiation. Some lifting of up to 50 lb and working at height on platforms.
• Schedule. Standard business hours, with extended hours during installation and commissioning milestones.
• Travel. For supplier factory acceptance tests, design reviews and conferences.
• Safety and clearance. Must follow AMPERA's safety program and complete required radiation-worker and HV-safety training. U.S. work authorization required.

Compensation for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, Ampera offers a comprehensive benefits package, participation in the Company's equity program through Incentive Stock Options (ISOs), and relocation assistance for qualified candidates, where applicable.