OBA Research Scientist/Engineer - Fusion Energy Systems
San Leandro, CA, USA
About the role
Job Application for OBA Research Scientist/Engineer – Fusion Energy Systems at Pacific Fusion Back to jobs OBA Research Scientist/Engineer – Fusion Energy Systems San Leandro, CA Apply 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 pulser-driven inertial 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 . Why This Role Matters Pacific Fusion seeks accomplished scientists and engineers with expertise across the spectrum of fusion energy disciplines. This role is for professionals from U.S. national laboratories interested in pursuing an Outside Business Activity (OBA) in fusion energy under the expanded opportunities provided by Section 10720 of the CHIPS and Science Act . Under the new CHIPS Act framework, national laboratory staff can directly participate in advancing fusion energy science and technology as a Pacific Fusion employee outside of their day job at the lab. Key Technical Domains We welcome applicants with expertise in any of the following fusion energy fields: Fusion Energy Science and Technology including plasma physics, fusion science, advanced materials, and all related fields Fusion Energy Target Design Fusion Energy Code Development Fusion Energy Diagnostics Fusion Energy Target Fabrication and Precision Manufacturing Fusion Energy Modeling and Simulation AI/ML for Fusion Energy Applications Fusion Energy Systems Engineering Fusion Energy Data Analysis Fusion Energy Experiments (using existing public-sector experimental capabilities) Fusion Energy Experimental Operations (including radiation and industrial safety) Control Systems (human safety, machine control and safety, data collection integrity) Power Plant Secondary Systems Fusion Energy Technologies, including pulsed power systems, lasers, materials, optics, target injection and tracking, radiation chamber dynamics, fuel cycle, facility operations, cryogenics, vacuum technology, precision machining, and all other associated fields Fusion Energy Technology Peer Review Fusion Energy Technology Concept Ideation
What You'll Do Lead and contribute to fusion energy R&D projects from concept through prototype. Collaborate across disciplines to integrate fusion energy target design, fabrication, diagnostics, and supporting technologies into deployable systems. Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international fusion energy conferences. Work hard, have fun, feel rewarded, and make a difference! What You Bring A top 1% performer who gives 1000% and has a deep desire to win. A current national laboratory employee interested in joining PF through OBA. Advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.S. with significant experience) in physics, engineering, or related discipline. Strong computational, experimental, or engineering skills relevant to fusion energy research.
Why Join Us Contribute directly to the development of commercially deployable fusion energy systems. Collaborate with a world-class team bridging public–private innovation in fusion energy. Flexible work options: positions are available from 5 to 40 hours per week with competitive salary, equity, and
benefits.
Compensation
Compensation is negotiable and ranges from a full-time equivalent salary of $200,000 to $350,000 per year plus company equity, depending on experience and
qualifications. Pay will be prorated based on the agreed weekly hours. Lunch will be provided when working at a Pacific Fusion facility. Support for Navigating OBA Pacific Fusion will provide resources to help you understand and navigate your laboratory’s OBA processes, ensuring compliance while enabling your participation in advancing fusion energy research with us. Alternatives to OBA If this OBA process turns out not to be right for your needs, we have many career openings at PF! How to Apply Send an email to [email protected] expressing your interest in working with PF through OBA. No commitment is implied by this email. Total
Compensation &
Benefits for Eligible Employees 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. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at Pacific Fusion? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Create alert Apply for this job * indicates a required field Autofill with MyGreenhouse First Name * Last Name * Preferred First Name Email * Phone Country Phone Resume/CV * Attach Attach Dropbox Google Drive Enter manually Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Cover Letter Attach Attach Dropbox Google Drive Enter manually Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Education School Select... Degree Select... Discipline Select... Start date month Select... Start date year End date month Select... End date year Add another Are you authorized to work in the United States? * Select... Do you now or will you in the future require employment visa sponsorship? * Select... Can you provide proof of employment eligibility upon hire? * Select... Anything else you'd like to share? LinkedIn Profile Website U.S. Standard Demographic Questions We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process. How would you describe your gender identity? Select... How would you describe your racial/ethnic background? Select... How would you describe your sexual orientation? Select... Do you identify as transgender? Select... Do you have a disability or chronic condition (physical, visual, auditory, cognitive, mental, emotional, or other) that substantially limits one or more of your major life activities, including mobility, communication (seeing, hearing, speaking), and learning? Select... Are you a veteran or active member of the United States Armed Forces? Select... Voluntary Self-Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file. As set forth in Pacific Fusion’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. Gender Select... Are you Hispanic/Latino? Select... Race & Ethnicity Definitions If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows: A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to
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