Principal Experimental Lead

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: About the role:

As Principal Experimental Lead you will lead a team of scientists to ensure the successful execution of projects and scientific milestones by building and maintaining a team of ambitious and curious scientists. You will be responsible for managing and mentoring experimentalists while also rolling up their sleeves to tackle hard scientific problems. This role requires a deep understanding of physics principles, excellent managerial and communication skills, and a passion to lead a team of people to accomplish extraordinary things.

In This Role, You Will

• Supervise and mentor a team of scientists and research staff.
• Develop and manage standard operating procedures and best practices for the experimental team including guidelines and go-bys.
• Lead department skill gap identification, onboarding and training, and hiring.
• Coordinate Experimental department activities and collaboration with other departments.
• Partner with Project Leads to determine experimental team requirement skills and experience, as well as assisting in resource allocation to projects.
• Provide guidance and support in experimental design and data analysis.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Ensure the scientific integrity and quality of research outputs.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical and computational methods.
• Lead special projects and R&D initiatives as necessary.
• Stay current with scientific literature and advancements in the field.
• Travel for conferences, supplier visits, meetings or company offsite events as required (up to 20%).

Note: This is a working manager role: you will be expected to operate as experimental functional manager, and contribute to projects technically.

About You

• Ph.D. degree in physics, engineering, or relevant scientific discipline.
• 15+ years experience in scientific research, with a proven track record of strong leadership and project completion.
• 5+ years leading high-performing teams with a knack for managing complex problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with an emphasis on effectively presenting and collaborating with internal stakeholders.
• Prior experience managing physics research projects.
• Hardworking, enthusiastic attitude with a track record of overcoming challenges.

Bonus Skills & Experience

• MBA or PMP certification.
• Experience with electromagnetic design and analysis.
• Experience with high voltage systems in vacuum.
• Experience with high energy plasmas.
• Familiarity with multi physics simulation tools such as COMSOL and FEM analysis.
• Experience with plasma simulation codes including Particle-in-Cell (PIC).
• Experience working in the fusion industry.

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.