Lead Particle Control Scientist

TAE Technologies•Foothill Ranch, CA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Particle Control Scientist leads and contributes to the Particle Control Group within TAE’s Experimental Section. The group is responsible for developing and maintaining plasma fueling systems, implementing particle recycling control techniques (such as gettering and glow discharge cleaning), and designing and analyzing experiments related to particle transport. The group includes staff scientists with expertise in fueling, wall conditioning, and experimental design. In this role, the Lead Scientist oversees the group’s technical direction and performance, providing planning and guidance based on objectives set by the Head of Experimental Systems. They support and manage group members, including making recommendations on hiring, promotions, and staffing, and conducting performance reviews. In addition to their leadership role, the Lead is expected to carry out individual scientific research, contribute to cross-functional projects, and occasionally represent TAE externally in conferences, collaborations, or recruiting.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in plasma scientific research including laboratory experiments, diagnostics, and data analysis
Experience with various plasma fueling systems such as puff valves, pellet injectors, neutral beams
Experience with wall conditioning techniques such as glow discharge cleaning, evaporable gettering, machine baking
Familiarity with plasma – wall interactions
Understanding of the application of tools, test equipment, and process control such as high voltage power supplies, voltmeters, oscilloscopes, ionization gauges
Utilization of pneumatics and high speed gas valves
MS Office Suite
M.S. degree in Physics or a closely related field.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing high level technical personnel as direct reports.
Experience managing large-scale scientific projects and/or collaborations.
Experience with cryogenics is preferred
Experience with project collaboration platforms and document management systems preferred.
Experience with scientific analysis languages (Python, Matlab, IDL, etc.) preferred
Ph.D. degree in Physics or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, operation, and continuous improvement of plasma fueling systems (e.g., cold gas injection, pellet injection), including fueling system topology and best practices.
Develop and maintain wall conditioning systems for particle recycling control, including titanium gettering and glow discharge cleaning systems.
Design and execute experiments focused on particle transport, wall conditions, and plasma–material interactions.
Provide regular analysis and reporting of system data (e.g., vacuum conditions, fueling efficiency, wall conditioning effectiveness); contribute to scientific publications.
Organize and manage the Particle Control Group for high technical performance, clear communication, and collaboration.
Provide planning and guidance to group activities aligned with goals set by the Head of Experimental Systems.
Manage team staffing, development, and performance (e.g., hiring, promotions, mentorship, performance reviews).
Maintain responsibility for any test stands under the group’s scope, ensuring alignment with experimental objectives.
Participate in planning and design of future fusion devices, such as Da Vinci, with a focus on fueling and plasma–wall interface strategies.
Collaborate with other technical groups across the organization in a matrixed project environment.
Represent TAE in external settings such as conferences, collaborations, or recruiting events.
Promote and embody TAE’s Core Values, Rules of the Road, and Culture of Safety.
Foster technical and leadership growth within the group, encouraging scientific rigor, teamwork, and accountability.