Plasma Physicist

Avalanche is a Seattle-based start-up developing compact fusion machines for clean, energy-dense power generation at a scale you can hold in your hands. Our unique approach allows us to build, test, break, learn and iterate in days. The modular design is designed to provide power to applications from austere environments to deep sea vehicles and maritime transport to lunar power.

We know we have an incredibly ambitious mission, and that it requires a wide combination of skills, attitude, and grit to make it happen. If you have a passion for abundant energy, and how we can improve life with it, we want to have a chat with you.

Avalanche might be fit for you if: You are self-motivated, energized by problem solving and working closely with hardware. You enjoy hands-on, creative collaboration with a small, tight-knit team you can work with, laugh with, and learn with on a wide variety of topics. You can learn and pivot between priorities when necessary and you can slide the headphones on, focus, and auger deep into a single topic as needed. You thrive in an atmosphere of development, and you are an ardent learner who’s always looking for ways to grow and improve.

About The Role

We are seeking a Plasma Physicist for our Seattle facility to work with our team on building, testing and developing our proprietary fusion machines, ion sources, electrodes, high voltage dielectric components and more. You will leverage your expertise to run experiments, identify insights and bring the team along for the journey. This senior role offers the opportunity to work with a passionate team on an ambitious mission to help push humanity forward.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead plasma experiment development on one of our test cells
• Lead, plan and perform analysis on compact fusion machine configurations including fusion power, Bremsstrahlung and various loss mechanisms
• Plan, design and specify experiment instrumentation and metrology tools and processes
• Help lead Avalanche’s scientific studies, including publishing papers and supporting regulatory, government outreach and proposal activities
• Travel for conferences, meetings or company offsite events as required

About You

• PhD in Physics, Engineering, closely related fields or relevant experience
• 5+ years post-PhD experience
• Experience in design, procurement, specification, assembly, safety, operations, and analysis of plasma experiments
• Significant knowledge of plasma instrumentation, and diagnostic tools
• Experimental data analysis and diagnosis
• Experience and knowledge of positive ion source technologies, tools and methods
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary research environment

Bonus Skills Or Experience

• Experience with high energy plasmas
• Experience with plasma simulation codes including Particle-in-Cell (PIC)
• Experience in the fusion industry
• Experience with COMSOL/FEM analysis

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental and vision benefits: We pay 100% of your premiums
• 10 paid holidays and company-wide December holiday break
• Generous paid vacation and sick time
• Small, tight-knit team with low barriers to action
• Exposure to a wide variety of problems for unparalleled, hands-on professional growth
• Weekly employer provided team meals, a well-stocked kitchen, and employee events on and off-site
• Meaningful equity in the form of stock options

Avalanche values people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, and sexual orientations. We also acknowledge the value that different life experiences bring to our organization. Avalanche is an equal opportunity employer, and you do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. We encourage all individuals who are excited about delivering fusion energy to the world to apply.