Senior Mechanical Engineer- Plasma Fueling

Join us in our mission to commercialize fusion energy ⚡️

Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture-backed in 2023, the company is led by a team of globally recognized fusion scientists with a strong track record of building state‑of‑the‑art stellarator fusion machines, together with veteran business leaders experienced in scaling companies and commercializing energy technologies.

Knoxville, TN

Highly Competitive Plus Benefits

Permanent, full time

Engineering Resource Manager

Type One Energy is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our Plasma Fueling Team. This role is ideal for an Engineer with strong system design experience who is motivated to grow into technical ownership of key projects.

The successful candidate will contribute to the design, development, and testing of complex mechanical systems operating in ultra‑high vacuum (UHV), cryogenic, and hydrogen environments, while advancing the technology readiness level (TRL) of critical plasma fueling components. This role requires close collaboration with plasma physicists, engineers, safety specialists, and external suppliers.

• Lead and support concept development, trade studies, and design optimization for plasma fueling systems.
• Design complex, integrated mechanical systems compliant with national and international codes, standards, and safety requirements.
• Advance system and component TRL through structured design phases, testing, and gate reviews.
• Produce high‑quality CAD models, engineering drawings, and GD&T‑compliant documentation.
• Perform thermal, structural, and sensitivity analyses using analytical and numerical methods (FEA).
• Develop and execute laboratory test plans, including functional testing, data acquisition, and design of experiments (DOE).
• Participate in and lead design reviews, risk assessments, and TRL evaluations.
• Author technical reports, test plans, quality plans, and scopes of work.
• Support supplier selection, technical oversight, and integration of procured components.
• Apply safety‑by‑design principles, including hydrogen and cryogenic safety considerations.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly through presentations and written documentation.
• Collaborate across disciplines to integrate plasma fueling systems into the broader fusion device architecture.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Mid‑career experience designing mechanical systems for UHV, cryogenic, hydrogen, or nuclear environments.
• Demonstrated experience with requirements generation, concept selection, and system integration.
• Strong proficiency in CAD, FEA, and GD&T.
• Experience advancing hardware through TRL phases, including testing and formal reviews.
• Hands‑on experience with laboratory testing, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Ability to independently author technical documentation and interface with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

• Cryogenic systems design and thermal analysis.
• HV/UHV system design experience.
• Hydrogen safety experience.
• Basic knowledge of tritium handling and fusion fuel cycles.
• Experience with project management and schedule coordination.
• Background in commercialization environments, including gated development processes.
• Supplier management and external partner interaction.
• Experience with complex, tightly integrated systems.
• Creative, “out‑of‑the‑box” engineering mindset.
• Fusion or advanced energy system experience (bonus).

In addition to a basic salary and yearly bonus, you will also get…

• Stock and share options.
• Relocation allowance.
• Insurance plans.
• 401k retirement options.
• And many more great voluntary benefits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Type One Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, searching for the best new ideas and remaining open to unique perspectives. Therefore, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment independent of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.