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Scientist VI

General Atomics

San Diego, CAFull-time$131–228K/yrSeen 1 day agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$131–228K/yr
Location
San Diego, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

General Atomics’ Theory and Computational Science Division seeks a senior staff member with expertise in fusion plasma theory to address scientific issues in fusion power plant design. The role develops theory-based scientific codes and computational models, applies plasma theory across tokamak and stellarator concepts, and collaborates with theorists, computational scientists, and experimentalists. The successful applicant publishes and presents research and may lead proposals and provide guidance to less experienced staff.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Fusion Plasma TheoryApplied MathematicsTheory-Based ComputationScientific Code DesignEquilibriumStabilityTransportProject LeadershipStaff GuidanceWork PlanningCommunicationPresentationInterpersonal SkillsIndependent WorkTeamworkAgent-Assisted Scientific ComputingScientific Review Panels

Qualifications

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Scientific Field or Equivalent Experience12+ Years With Bachelor's10+ Years With Master's7+ Years With PhDPhD in Plasma Physics or Related DisciplinePeer-Reviewed Research PublicationsScientific Meeting Presentations

Benefits

Relocation Assistance

Full job description

58772BR

Job Summary:

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

The Theory and Computational Science Division, Magnetic Fusion Energy, General Atomics, is seeking a senior staff member with demonstrated expertise in fusion plasma theory. The successful applicant will help strengthen the research of the Division for solving critical scientific issues in designing fusion power plants.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develops and applies fusion plasma theory, built on rigorous mathematical foundations, to solve critical scientific issues in the design of fusion power plants.

  • Designs, develops, and maintains theory-based scientific codes and computational models grounded in first-principles theoretical foundations.

  • Works across theory areas, including equilibrium, stability, and transport, to integrate physics understanding and predictive modeling capabilities.

  • Applies theoretical and computational expertise to both tokamak and stellarator concepts.

  • Develops and applies agent-assisted approaches to plasma theory and scientific computing.

  • Collaborates within a team of theorists, computational scientists, and experimentalists; may serve as a prime technical contact for assigned projects and provide guidance to less experienced staff.

  • Publishes results in peer-reviewed journals and presents work at scientific conferences, workshops, and program reviews.

  • Participates in or may lead the development of research proposals and new funding opportunities.

  • Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company. Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices. Additional Functions Other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications:

  • Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in a scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; twelve or more years experience with a Bachelors degree, ten or more years experience with a Masters degree, and seven or more with a PhD. Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education.

  • PhD preferred in plasma physics or a related discipline, with original research published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings.

  • Strong background in plasma theory and applied mathematics, with a proven track record in theory-based computation and scientific code design.

  • Demonstrated ability to work across theory areas such as equilibrium, stability, and transport.

  • Experience leading projects and guiding less experienced staff, including planning and coordinating work to meet deadlines and milestones.

  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to serve as a prime technical contact for collaborators, customers, and government sponsors.

  • Self-motivated and creative; able to learn new concepts quickly, work independently or in a team, and work extended hours and travel as required.

  • Desirable: familiarity with agent-assisted approaches to scientific computing, and participation in scientific review panels.

Job Category:

Scientists

Experience Level:

Senior (8+ years)

Workstyle:

Onsite

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time Salary

Pay Range Low:

130,500

Pay Range High:

228,375

Travel Percentage Required:

0% - 25%

Relocation Assistance Provided?:

Yes

US Citizenship Required?:

No

Clearance Required?:

No

General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. In accordance with applicable federal law, General Atomics takes affirmative action to employ and advance the employment of qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions. To learn more, please review the EEOC’s "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,115 open Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 6, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$131–228K/yr
  • California median$124–174K/yr267 salary ranges
  • US median$103–160K/yr1,081 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $179K, is 20% above the California median midpoint ($150K) — in the middle half of Scientist salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 432 open Scientist jobs in California and 2,115 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
This posting asks for at least 7 years of experience — more than three in four Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for (median 3 years, across 1,551 postings).
Education
1,097 of the 2,115 open Scientist jobs (52%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 6, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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