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 (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems.

Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand. You can read more about us in this letter from our founders.

About The Role

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.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead mechanical design and alignment strategy for diagnostic and positioner hardware.

- Mentor engineers, delegate tasks, and manage technical planning within the target area team.

- Drive alignment process development, including automated alignment procedures and integration strategies.

- Design and execute experiments to validate alignment precision and repeatability.

- Conduct tolerance stack-ups, FMEA, and spatial analyses using tools like MATLAB, Python, and Creo.

- 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.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Optical Engineering—or equivalent work experience.

- 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience with a focus on high-precision systems

- Strong background in mechanical design, CAD, FEM, and system integration.

- 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).

- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and related engineering tools.

- Proven ability to lead complex engineering projects and mentor others.

- Strong communication and documentation skills; effective cross-disciplinary collaborator.

Benefits:

- Industry-competitive salary

- 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, our 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. In the absence of such agreement, Pacific Fusion reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Pacific Fusion hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.

Compensation Range: $180K - $240K