Lead Reactor Engineer
Realta Fusion
Lead Reactor Engineer
Engineer* – Lead Reactor Engineer
Madison, WI
Full-time
*exact title tbd and dependent on successful candidate’s prior experience
Realta Fusion is a rapidly growing start-up developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to address the biggest challenge of our time – tackling global climate change while ensuring a sufficient energy supply for at least ten billion people on (and off) earth. Realta is targeting the need to decarbonize industrial process heat as the fastest path to full-scale deployment of our technology. We are building a team with diverse talents dedicated to making fusion energy a real solution to humanity’s most pressing problem.
The Lead Reactor Engineer will work with Realta’s engineering and scientific teams to lead and deliver Realta’s technology development roadmap. The Lead Reactor Engineer will be critical to successful design and engineering of Anvil – Realta’s Volumetric Neutron Source and prototype fusion energy machine. The Lead Reactor Engineer will also be instrumental in the design and analysis of Hammir, Realta’s first-of-a-kind fusion pilot plant.
Responsibilities
1. Engineering Analysis:
- Support construction and assembly of fusion machine systems and subsystems, including Anvil.
- Perform and/or direct structural, thermal-hydraulic, and neutronic analyses of reactor components, including the blanket, first wall, magnet supports, and vacuum vessel.
- Develop and implement innovative solutions to engineering challenges.
- Conduct in-depth technical assessments of reactor and cryogenic designs, identifying and mitigating technical risks.
2. Requirements Definition and Integration:
- Identify and resolve technical challenges that may arise during the design and development process.
- Collaborate with physicists, materials scientists, and other engineers to optimize reactor performance.
- Develop and maintain detailed reactor design specifications and drawings.
3. Technical Leadership & Strategy:
- Stay abreast of the latest advancements in fusion technology and industry best-practices
- Lead the reactor engineering team, including mentoring junior engineers, assigning tasks, and ensuring project timelines are met.
- Develop and maintain the reactor engineering roadmap, including key milestones and deliverables.
4. Communication:
- Synthesize and present technical work internally and externally,
- Communicate daily with project teams and leadership to support programmatic needs.
- Contribute to the development of intellectual property related to fusion reactor technology.
5. Safety & Compliance:
- Ensure that all reactor engineering activities are conducted in accordance with relevant safety standards and regulations.
- Conduct safety analyses and risk assessments related to reactor operation.
6. Culture and Values:
- Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that aligns with the company's mission, values, and sustainability goals.
- Promoting innovation, collaboration, and employee engagement.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Advanced Degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals, and fusion reactor systems. Familiarity with plasma physics a plus.
- Proficiency in relevant engineering software (e.g. NX, Solidworks, Ansys, COMSOL, OpenMC, MCNP etc.)
- Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, public presentation) to collaborate effectively with colleagues, external partners, and stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with superconducting magnets, tritium handling, and remote maintenance systems.
- Familiarity with fusion energy regulations and safety standards.
- Experience with project management methodologies.
- Publication record in peer-reviewed journals or conferences.
Applicants who do not meet the entire job specification are encouraged to apply.
Compensation and benefits
What we are working on is hard… and hugely important. Realta Fusion is assembling a talented team bound together by a passion to solve humanity’s biggest challenge with first-of-a-kind technology. That shared mission is a primary benefit of working in our team. Additionally, Realta offers:
- Competitive compensation, including equity stock options
- Excellent health / dental / vision and other benefits
- Flexible paid vacation/time-off
- The opportunity to work in one of America’s most livable cities, Madison, Wisconsin
We value diversity as a critical factor in innovation and believe a diverse team is necessary to solve the toughest problems. We aim to create an inclusive environment that unleashes the full creativity of our team members from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.Top of Form