Technical Program Coordinator

TAE Technologies • Foothill Ranch, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

TAE Technologies is a leader in commercial fusion energy, founded in 1998 with a mission to deliver clean, sustainable energy to the world. Using our proprietary Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) technology, we are advancing toward the commercialization of aneutronic hydrogen-boron fusion. As we transition from the Norm to the Da Vinci commercial prototype, we seek dedicated professionals to support our critical experimental operations. The Technical Program Coordinator for the Fusion Energy group supports and coordinates daily and longer-term operations for the Norm (C-2W), serving as a central point of communication between scientists, technicians, and engineers for operation-related activities. This role drives the smooth execution of experimental research campaigns and machine readiness by managing activities for experimental workflow, operational schedules, engineering days, and machine vents. The selected candidate is expected to participate in Norm operations as a machine operator or session support and will occasionally assist in maintaining the C-2W subsystems.

Requirements

• 1–2 years of relevant experience in R&D lab, construction, or manufacturing required.
• Proficiency with project management tools (Jira, Confluence) and scheduling software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• B.S. (Preferred M.S.) in Physics, Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in laboratory operations, technical coordination, or project management.
• Familiarity with plasma physics, high-voltage systems, vacuum systems, or fusion energy science is a plus.
• Experience with data analysis and data visualization, preferably using Python and/or other programming languages.
• Approachability, empathy, and team-orientation with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain weekly operations schedules; plan experimental campaigns by grouping compatible experiments, coordinating machine changes, and optimizing workflow.
• Serve as the primary communication link for machine operations across multiple teams; monitor control room activities to track progress and quickly identify and help resolve issues.
• Manage the experimental proposal workflow process; assist authors and technicians with the process and change requests.
• Coordinate subsystem modification tasks for experimental proposals.
• Familiarize with C-2W subsystems; complete training and work as a C-2W machine operator or in other roles as needed to support operations.
• Implement processes to record and track technical incidents, breakdowns, and maintenance issues. Regularly track, follow up, and report on these.
• Maintain TAE databases for experimental activities and operational issues; conduct data analyses; quarterly report operational trends and machine performance metrics.
• Support the PMO and engineering team for Norm upgrade/vent activities by helping develop, manage, and maintain the upgrade/vent schedule and documentation.
• Coordinate testing, maintenance, and commissioning tasks to ensure operational readiness following upgrade/vent events or machine configuration changes.
• Occasionally assist with hands-on technical work on C-2W subsystems.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (K) with company match, paid vacation + sick time, companywide December holiday, wellness program, parental leave
• Payment rewards: For referring talent, novel research, and patents
• A collaborative environment: An organization where talents and interests can plug in to different groups throughout the organization
• Potential for equity participation
• HQ in Southern California
• Employee events on and off-site
• A commitment to upholding and growing an inclusive organization

What This Job Offers

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