TAE Technologies - Foothill Ranch, CA
posted 5 days ago
About the position
TAE is looking for a Neutral Beams Experimental Scientist to join our team at the Foothill Ranch, CA facility. The selected candidate will operate and maintain a MW-level Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) system for plasma heating and current drive, analyze and interpret experimental data related to beam performance, and collaborate with in-house technical staff to troubleshoot hardware issues. The role also involves participating in the design, simulation, and testing of a new neutral beam system for the next-generation fusion experiment at TAE. Responsibilities include conducting low-temperature plasma experiments, studying and optimizing ion beam optics, and developing diagnostics for high-power NB systems.
Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain a MW-level Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) system for plasma heating and current drive.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data related to beam performance.
- Collaborate with in-house technical staff to troubleshoot hardware issues.
- Conduct low-temperature plasma experiments.
- Study and optimize ion beam optics.
- Develop a new NB system for the future plasma machine, including simulations of beam formation and transport.
- Experimental characterization of beam parameters.
- Collaborate with engineering to design NB systems and test NB subsystems.
- Develop diagnostics for high-power NB systems, including secondary electron emission detectors, calorimeters, and optical diagnostics.
Requirements
- 2-5 years of hands-on lab experience with plasma physics, ion/neutral beam experiments, or related fields.
- Experience in experimental physics labs working with neutral beams, ion accelerators, or related systems.
- Understanding of basic plasma and beam physics.
- Experience with high voltage systems (above 10 kV).
- Familiarity with UHV vacuum systems.
- Electronics assembly, soldering, and experience with electronics test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.).
- Proficiency with Machine Control Systems interfaces.
- Scientific programming experience (Python, Matlab, IDL, etc.).
- Familiarity with mechanical/thermal tension and MS Office applications.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Nice-to-haves
- PhD in plasma physics, engineering, or a related discipline.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
- 401 (K) with company match
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Companywide December holiday
- Wellness program
- Parental leave
- Payment rewards for referring talent, novel research, and patents
- Potential for equity participation
- Employee events on and off-site
- Commitment to upholding and growing an inclusive organization.
