Fabrication Lead

About the role

Pacific Fusion is a company founded in 2023 dedicated to producing abundant, affordable, and clean energy. They are currently developing a pulser-driven inertial fusion system aimed at achieving net facility gain. The company has raised over $900 million from investors and is assembling a team of experts from various fields to address the urgent need for clean power.

Responsibilities

• Own the execution of vacuum vessel and component fabrication, from design-for-manufacturability through final site installation.
• Drive requests for quotation and technical bid reviews for complex vacuum components, large precision manufactured components, ensuring tight tolerance and cleanliness standards.
• Manage fabrication of mission critical vacuum components and power flow components for our fusion machine.
• Build detailed execution plans including vacuum leak testing, qualification, and turnover documentation.
• Coordinate with vacuum physicists and design engineers to optimize system performance and reliability.
• Manage suppliers of specialized vacuum hardware, precision machined components ensuring schedule compliance and quality control.
• Expected to travel and meet with suppliers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in high or ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems, including design, fabrication, and installation.
• Deep understanding of vacuum fabrication (welding, surface finish, sealing and cleanliness) and leak detection techniques (e.g., helium leak testing).
• Experience with stainless steel fabrication processes and cleanliness standards for vacuum service.
• Familiarity with vacuum system assembly, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with aerospace grade fabrication of large & complex stainless steel assemblies with intricate machined features, tight tolerances and smooth surface finish.
• Bonus points for experience with large-scale UHV systems for fusion, aerospace, or accelerator physics.
• Machining of aerospace grade complex and large assemblies.
• Hands-on experience with cleanroom practices and assembly.
• Familiarity with nonconformance resolution in vacuum hardware.

Qualifications

• Experience with aerospace grade fabrication of large & complex stainless steel assemblies with intricate machined features, tight tolerances and smooth surface finish.
• Familiarity with nonconformance resolution in vacuum hardware.

Skills

• Experience with stainless steel fabrication processes and cleanliness standards for vacuum service.
• Understanding of vacuum fabrication (welding, surface finish, sealing and cleanliness) and leak detection techniques (e.g., helium leak testing).
• Experience with aerospace grade fabrication of large & complex stainless steel assemblies with intricate machined features, tight tolerances and smooth surface finish.
• Familiarity with nonconformance resolution in vacuum hardware.

Benefits

• Industry-competitive salary
• Equity plan 6% employer
• 401k matching
• Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Pay

The pay range for this position is $175,900—$219,900 USD. The actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.