Pulsed-Power Scientist job in Foothill Ranch at tae Technologies

TAE Technologies (pronounced T-A-E) was founded in 1998 to develop commercial fusion power with the cleanest environmental profile, and represents the fastest, most practical, and economically competitive solution to bring abundant energy to the grid. With over 900 issued patents, more than $880 million in private capital, six generations of National Laboratory-scale devices, and an experienced team of over 250 employees, TAE is now on the cusp of delivering this transformational energy source capable of sustaining the planet for centuries. The company’s revolutionary technologies have produced a robust portfolio of commercial innovations in other large adjacent markets such as power management, energy storage, transmission, electric mobility, life sciences, and more. TAE is based in California, and maintains international offices in the UK and Switzerland. Multidisciplinary and mission-driven by nature, TAE is leveraging proprietary science and engineering to create a bright future for us all.

We currently have an opening at our Foothill Ranch, CA (Orange County) facility for a Pulsed-Power Scientist. The successful candidate will contribute to the novel research and development efforts at TAE Technologies in the areas pulsed power and radio frequency (rf), specifically, the design, development, construction, diagnosis and operation of systems to support both the fusion division and various collaborative efforts. This is a full-time position with a rich compensation package.

Working at TAE:

We are a diverse group of 200 of some of the most brilliant physicists, engineers and other experts from 30 countries around the world – all committed to improving people’s lives through clean technologies. TAE values individual passion and expertise within our culture of collaboration. We are a proud equal opportunity employer and offer competitive salaries and generous benefits, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision, life insurance, long term disability and accident insurance. 401(k) retirement plans, professional development, community outreach and a spirited intramural ping pong league.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

TAE Technologies currently has several active research projects in the areas of pulsed power and radio frequency technology on which the candidate will work. 

Compact Toroid Injection (CTI) is a means of heating, fueling and re-fluxing a magnetically confined plasma that relies on pulsed power for formation and translation.  The candidate will be responsible for testing and improving this technology on a test stand to increase trapped flux and energetic efficiency.  The system and other similar systems will be installed on the C-2W fusion device and at various collaborative institutions. 

The candidate will be responsible for all aspects of design, development, modification, installation and operation of these systems.  This will involve component and process evaluation, performing supporting calculations and simulations, trouble-shooting and performance analysis, and communicating results through both presentations and written reports.

The candidate will also assist in other relevant R&D efforts within the company, including with C-2W Operations and supporting experiments on dedicated test stands, such as the Biasing Test Stand, as well as forward looking projects with import to next generation devices.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of plasma, nuclear, accelerator, RF, and pulsed power physics
• Knowledge and experience in generation of plasma, RF, and/or particle beams
• Knowledge and experience in design, construction, and operation of high voltage/high current pulsed power systems for generation of plasma, RF, and particle beams
• Ability to conduct independent research
• Several years of experience working in a pulsed power laboratory

Software Knowledge and Skills:

• Simulation software (COMSOL, PSpice, PIC codes)
• Data analysis software (python, MATLAB, etc)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, and Power Pointer)

Other Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Plasma diagnostics
• Vacuum technology
• High power electronics

Education:

Required:  M.S. degree in Physics or related Science and Technologies

Preferred:  Ph. D. in Plasma Physics or related Science and Technologies