Lead Plasma Fueling & Wall Conditioning Scientist

About the Role

The Lead Plasma Fueling & Wall Conditioning Scientist will contribute to the Particle Control Group within TAE’s Experimental Section. The role focuses on developing and maintaining plasma fueling systems, implementing particle recycling control techniques, and designing experiments related to particle transport. The Lead oversees the group’s technical direction, supports and manages group members, carries out individual scientific research, and represents TAE externally at conferences and collaborations.

• Lead the development, operation, and continuous improvement of plasma fueling systems (e.g., cold gas injection, pellet injection), including system topology and best practices.
• Develop 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) and contribute to scientific publications.
• Organize and manage the Particle Control Group for high technical performance, clear communication, and collaboration.
• Provide planning and guidance to group activities aligned with the Head of Experimental Systems’ goals.
• Manage team staffing, development, and performance (e.g., hiring, promotions, mentorship, performance reviews).
• Maintain responsibility for any test stands under the group’s scope, ensuring alignment with experimental objectives.
• Participate in planning and design of future fusion devices, such as Da Vinci, focusing on fueling and plasma–wall interface strategies.
• Collaborate with other technical groups across the organization in a matrixed project environment.
• 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.
• Foster technical and leadership growth within the group, encouraging scientific rigor, teamwork, and accountability.

• At least 5 years of experience in plasma scientific research, including laboratory experiments, diagnostics, and data analysis.
• Experience with plasma fueling systems such as puff valves, pellet injectors, and neutral beams.
• Experience with wall conditioning techniques such as glow discharge cleaning, evaporable gettering, and machine baking.
• Familiarity with plasma–wall interactions.
• Experience managing high‑level technical personnel as direct reports.
• Experience managing large‑scale scientific projects and/or collaborations.

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 preferred.

MS Office Suite; experience with project collaboration platforms and document management systems preferred; experience with scientific analysis languages (Python, Matlab, IDL, etc.) preferred.

Required:

M.S. degree in Physics or a closely related field. Preferred:
Ph.D. degree in Physics or a closely related field.

$145,000 - $175,000. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and sick time, company‑wide December holiday
• Wellness program, parental leave
• Payment rewards for referring talent, novel research, and patents
• Collaborative environment across groups
• Potential for equity participation
• HQ in Southern California, employee events on and off‑site
• Commitment to upholding and growing an inclusive organization

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  to request accommodations or 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.