Sr Mechanical Engineer (Vacuum Systems)

Avalanche • Tukwila, WA

6d • $130,000 - $190,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Avalanche Energy is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and maintain mechanical systems supporting compact fusion devices. The role works directly with vacuum hardware, structural assemblies, thermal management systems, and laboratory infrastructure, supporting experiments that are rapidly designed, built, and iterated.

This is a hands-on, lab-centered engineering role involving CAD modeling, component selection, fabrication, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting. Work spans precision vacuum systems, structural design, thermal and high-voltage management, and integration with experimental hardware. Materials include stainless steels, refractory metals, and ceramics. The role is focused on making complex mechanical systems work reliably and repeatably, rather than on desk-based or simulation-first work.

The position is preferably onsite to support laboratory work and close integration with experimental teams. Work sites are Tukwila or Richland, Washington. Occasional travel may be needed for equipment procurement, integration, or collaboration. The schedule is standard business hours, with flexibility during experimental campaigns or critical test periods. The position may require access to export-controlled information; applicants must meet the U.S. trade-control definition of a U.S. person.

Requirements

• B.S. degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
• 2–5 years of post-degree experience in hands-on mechanical engineering roles; laboratory or experimental hardware experience is preferred.
• Strong command of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including structural analysis, thermal systems, fluid mechanics, and materials selection.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent for design, assembly modeling, and drawing generation.
• Experience designing, assembling, and operating vacuum systems, including familiarity with pumping systems, gauging, and leak checking.
• Experience with thermal management design, including heat transfer analysis, cooling system design, and thermal interface materials.
• Experience working with machine shops and fabrication processes, including tolerance specification, GD&T, and hands-on assembly of precision mechanical hardware.
• Familiarity with FEA tools for structural or thermal analysis, such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent.
• Comfort working directly with physical hardware in a laboratory or machine shop, including hands-on assembly, installation, and testing.
• Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined by U.S. trade-control laws if access to export-controlled information is required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing or building hardware for laboratory experiments, research programs, or scientific instruments.
• Experience designing or fabricating with ceramic materials, including MACOR or Alumina.
• Experience with high-vacuum or ultra-high-vacuum systems, including system design, bakeout, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with plasma physics hardware or fusion-related systems, such as magnetic coils, ion sources, beam optics, or high-voltage electrical feedthroughs.
• Experience with precision machining or hands-on fabrication, including lathe, mill, or other shop equipment.
• Experience with cryogenic systems, high-pressure hardware, or other mechanically demanding environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain mechanical and vacuum systems supporting fusion experiments, diagnostics, and laboratory infrastructure.
• Collaborate with physicists and engineers to conceive, implement, and refine mechanical systems for experimental hardware, from initial concept through fabrication, assembly, and iteration.
• Specify, procure, fabricate, and test mechanical hardware, including vacuum vessels, structural mounts, thermal interfaces, feedthroughs, and precision mechanical assemblies.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and vacuum systems, diagnosing leaks, thermal performance issues, structural loading, alignment, and hardware fit-up.
• Support experiment operation by setting up, validating, and maintaining mechanical systems, vacuum hardware, and associated diagnostics.
• Provide mechanical insight into experimental results, helping interpret hardware performance, system behavior, and failure modes.
• Improve laboratory mechanical practices, documentation, fabrication standards, and build processes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits; the company pays 100% of premiums.
• 10 paid holidays and a company-wide December holiday break.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Meaningful equity in the form of stock options.
• Weekly employer-provided team meals, a well-stocked kitchen, and employee events on and off-site.
• Hands-on professional growth through exposure to a wide variety of challenging problems.
• Small, tight-knit team with low barriers to action.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level