Senior Plasma Control Engineer

@ Thea Energy

Senior Plasma Control Engineer

Posted 1 month ago

This job is still taking applications, but it's been up a while.

About the job

Thea Energy is developing fusion energy technology using stellarator physics and advanced control systems to create sustainable, zero-emission energy solutions.

Requirements

Control algorithm development
Experience with ML models
Programming in Python, MATLAB, C++
Knowledge of time-series data
Familiar with control methods

Qualifications

BS or MS in relevant field
3+ years control software experience
Experience with scientific software
Knowledge of control systems
Familiar with real-time data

Full job description

About Thea Energy:

Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.

Position Overview:

Thea Energy is seeking a Sr. Plasma Control Engineer to develop and deploy novel plasma control algorithms for the Eos stellarator, with a strong emphasis on AI and ML assisted control, real-time state estimation, and digital twins. This role sits in the Electrical Engineering and Controls Systems (EECS) team and works day to day with plasma physics, diagnostics, and plant control engineers to bridge plasma physics objectives with plasma control and plant control implementation.

If you can develop plasma control algorithms that are robust, constraint-aware, and ready for experimental operation, covering scenario design, supervisory control, and closed-loop regulation of core profiles, edge and divertor regimes, and off-normal response, we would like to hear from you. You will also contribute to subsystem digital twins and data pipelines that enable model development, validation, and deployment.

Key Responsibility Areas:

Plasma control algorithms and real-time software:

Develop, test, and iterate plasma control algorithms for Eos PCS, including multi-rate feedback, supervisory logic, and constraint handling.

Build AI/ML assisted control modules, such as learning-augmented MPC, reinforcement learning in simulation, physics-based models augmented with data-driven corrections, and adaptive control and auto-tuning across operating conditions

Develop and deploy real-time state estimation and multi-diagnostic data fusion to produce control-grade plasma state, including robust profile reconstruction and regime indicators suitable for closed-loop operation.

Develop anomaly detection and early-warning indicators across plasma and plant signals, with clear thresholds and graded mitigation actions.

Partner with plasma physicists to translate physics goals into control objectives, observables, constraints, and validation tests.

Digital twins and modeling:

Design and maintain digital twin models for plasma control loops and coupled plant subsystems, enabling simulation, optimization, and controller development and validation.

Build model validation workflows, including post-shot reconstruction, scenario sweeps, sensitivity studies, and uncertainty-aware comparisons against experimental data

Data and integration:

Build and maintain data pipelines for time-series control and diagnostic data, including labeling, archiving, and training and inference workflows.

Integrate algorithms into the control stack in collaboration with EECS, ensuring compatibility with real-time constraints and low-latency inference where needed.

Maintain high software quality: version control, test coverage, reproducible environments, and operational readiness documentation.

Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

Required qualifications:

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field.

3 or more years of experience developing control algorithms, ML models, or real-time scientific software for complex physical systems.

Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB and C++.

Experience with time-series data processing, signal conditioning, system identification, and validation on real data.

Practical familiarity with modern ML tooling (PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX) and deploying models into production code paths.

Working knowledge of modern control methods, such as state estimation, constrained optimization, MPC, and robust control.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience with plasma control, stellarators or tokamaks, or adjacent fields such as accelerators and large scientific infrastructure.

Prior work on digital twins, real-time simulators, or physics-informed ML for physical systems.

Experience integrating with experimental control and data systems (for example EPICS, MDSplus, SCADA, OPC UA).

Familiarity with low-latency deployment and inference engines such as ONNX Runtime and TensorRT.

Background in any of the following plant subsystems is a plus: power electronics, cryogenics, vacuum and pumping, high-power RF systems, and safety controls.

Tools and platforms:

Languages and frameworks: Python, MATLAB, C++, PyTorch or TensorFlow or JAX, Jupyter

Data infrastructure: MDSplus, EPICS, HDF5, InfluxDB, OPC UA, Kafka or ZeroMQ

Dev workflows: Git, Docker, MLflow, CI pipelines

Simulation and modeling: MATLAB Simulink, Modelica, FMI, and custom physics solvers

Company Benefits:

Salary range $120,000-$160,000
Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
Employee equity stock options
20 days PTO

Requirements:

Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call.
Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.

It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

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