Experimental Plasma Scientist

Avalanche • Seattle, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Avalanche is a Seattle-based start-up developing compact fusion machines for clean, energy-dense power generation. Its modular design is intended to support applications ranging from austere environments and deep-sea vehicles to maritime transport and lunar power. The company emphasizes rapid build-test-learn cycles and seeks people who are self-motivated, energized by problem solving and working closely with hardware, comfortable collaborating with a small team, able to shift priorities, and motivated to learn and improve.

An Experimental Plasma Scientist is a technical leader within Avalanche’s Science organization. The role advances understanding of plasma physics as it applies directly to Avalanche’s fusion systems, in an environment of rapid iteration, incomplete information, and evolving requirements. This is not a purely academic role: the scientist works closely with experimental systems, diagnostics, simulations, and cross-functional engineering teams to inform design decisions, interpret results, and guide future experiments. The role calls for strong scientific judgment, proposing new approaches, and helping the team move faster and more effectively.

The position is based at the site in Tukwila, Washington, with occasional travel for equipment procurement, conferences, or collaboration as needed. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage with premiums paid by the company, paid holidays and a company-wide December holiday break, paid vacation and sick time, team meals, employee events, professional growth opportunities, and the opportunity for equity.

Requirements

• PhD in plasma physics or a closely related field, or equivalent depth of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to approach complex plasma physics problems analytically.
• Direct experience working with plasma diagnostics.
• Comfort interpreting theory, simulation, and experimental results.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and independently, prioritize work, and make progress in ambiguous environments.
• Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas across disciplines.
• Comfort iterating quickly and revising assumptions as new data emerges.
• Comfort coding in Python or similar languages.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working around high-voltage systems.
• Experience designing and setting up noninvasive plasma diagnostics.
• Familiarity with vacuum or ultra-high-vacuum systems.
• Experience with cryogenic systems or fluid handling.
• Automation or controls installation experience.
• Prior work in fast-paced, hardware-driven R&D environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and interpret plasma experiments in collaboration with the broader science team and engineers.
• Translate experimental results into clear, actionable recommendations for future experiments.
• Integrate experimental data, simulations, and theory to inform conclusions and guide next steps.
• Help define the most important questions at each stage of development and where effort should be focused.
• Work with mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and software engineering teams to incorporate plasma physics considerations into system design.
• Communicate complex plasma physics concepts clearly to colleagues who are not plasma specialists.
• Provide scientifically grounded input for product and system trade studies.
• Share knowledge, review analyses, and contribute to a collaborative and curious science culture.
• Help strengthen team practices for documentation, analysis, and communication.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 100% of premiums paid by the company.
• 10 paid holidays and a 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 and hands-on professional growth.
• Weekly employer-provided team meals, a well-stocked kitchen, and employee events on and off-site.
• Opportunity for equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree