About the role
Tackle complex vacuum engineering challenges at the forefront of fusion technology and help build systems that have never existed before. The Staff Mechanical Engineer, Vacuum Systems will work closely with Realta’s engineering and scientific teams to provide technical leadership, engineering expertise, and critical design input that advances Realta’s technology development roadmap. This individual will play a key role in the design, development, and execution of Hammir—Realta’s reactor-scale simple magnetic mirror and primary technology development platform, and Realta’s first-of-a-kind fusion pilot plant. They will be expected to drive complex engineering initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to strategic decisions that support the commercialization of fusion energy. Realta Fusion is a rapidly growing start-up developing magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to address the biggest challenge of our time – tackling global climate change while ensuring a sufficient energy supply for at least ten billion people on (and off) earth. We are building a team with diverse talents dedicated to making fusion energy a real solution to humanity’s most pressing problem.
Responsibilities Collaborate with both physicists and scientists, as well as engineers and technical support staff, to develop technologies for novel vacuum systems requiring innovative designs and critical high-level analysis. Design and model complex ultra-high vacuum (UHV) pumping technologies, diagnostics, in-situ high temperature bakeout, sealing strategies, and vacuum vessels. Establish UHV best practices, design vacuum cleaning and handling laboratories, and mentor staff in UHV principles, contamination control, and leak detection. Design, build, and operate UHV test stands to validate both established and emerging vacuum technologies against stringent performance
requirements. Research, select, and occasionally test UHV-compatible materials (e.g., low-outgassing metals, specific elastomers/metals for seals), specify cleaning protocols, and define bakeout and pump down sequences. Lead efforts involving general mechanical-system design, mechanical stress analysis, thermal analysis, and fatigue analysis. Interface with facilities and assist in the specification, design, and construction of a greenfield cryoplant and associated gas delivery systems. Conduct formal design reviews, generate technical documentation, and respond to questions concerning engineering design and operation. Work with vendors and internal resources to fabricate, assemble, test, and validate components and systems. Communication: Synthesize and present technical work internally and externally, communicate daily with project teams and leadership to support programmatic needs. Safety: Contribute to the establishment of company safety standards and lead implementation of these standards within R&D and Engineering team. Culture and Values: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that aligns with the company's mission, values, and sustainability goals, promoting innovation, collaboration, and employee engagement. Required