Senior Mechanical Engineer - Precision Positioning and Alignment

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Precision Positioning and Alignment About Pacific Fusion

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy. We are rapidly designing and building a pulsed magnetic fusion system to achieve net facility gain and are developing key components required to build affordable fusion systems. We have raised over $900M from investors to deliver on these plans and are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community and hard tech industry.

Read more in this letter from our founders.

We’re seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, development, and alignment of high-precision mechanical systems for our pulsed magnetic inertial fusion platform. This role focuses on high-vacuum environments, tight alignment tolerances, and integration with diagnostic and positioning hardware.

• Design and develop equipment for alignment system placement and fixturing.
• Delegate tasks and manage technical planning within the target area team.
• Aid with the alignment process development, including automated alignment procedures and integration strategies.
• Design and execute prototypes and experiments to validate alignment equipment positioning and repeatability.
• Conduct tolerance stack-ups, FMEA, and spatial analyses using tools like MATLAB, Python, and CAD (Creo is a +).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including controls, diagnostics, and systems engineering—to define hardware requirements and ensure end-to-end integration.
• Review designs for compliance with precision and alignment specifications.
• Document procedures, test results, and provide technical updates to internal stakeholders.
• Support fabrication and installation of mechanical assemblies related to alignment systems.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering - or equivalent work experience
• 6+ years of mechanical engineering experience with a focus on high-precision systems
• Strong background in mechanical design, CAD, FEM, and system integration.
• Willingness to learn new tools and software
• Expertise in precision alignment, metrology, tolerance analysis, and FMEA.
• Experience in environments requiring kinematic mounting, vibrational stability, or integration with large-scale systems (e.g., particle accelerators or high-vacuum systems) is a plus
• Proficiency in programming using Python, Matlab, etc., and related engineering tools.
• Proven ability to lead complex engineering projects and mentor others.
• Strong communication and documentation skills; effective cross-disciplinary collaborator.

Pay Range:

$175,900 - $263,800 USD

• Equity plan
• 6% employer 401k matching
• Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Actual base salary offered will be determined by experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary; total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know.

Pacific Fusion does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. We reserve the right to pursue and hire candidates without obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Pacific Fusion hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.