The Role
Lead the full lifecycle of large-scale high-temperature superconducting magnet systems for fusion hardware. Responsibilities include HTS cable and magnet design, multiphysics analysis, quench protection, manufacturing oversight, electro-mechanical and cryogenic integration, qualification testing, failure analysis, vendor management, commissioning, and program risk mitigation. The role requires extensive experience with fusion-scale superconducting magnets, large manufacturing programs, cryogenic testing, and cross-functional systems engineering leadership.
Summary Generated by Built In
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:
We are seeking a Lead HTS Magnet Systems Engineer to own the full lifecycle of our large-scale High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) cabled magnet systems. You will bridge interdisciplinary electrical and mechanical domains, driving everything from early stage design trade studies and cable architectures (CICC stacked REBCO) to manufacturing, assembly, QA test and integration into the device.
Key Responsibilities:
- End-to-End Program Ownership: Lead system design reviews (CDR/PDR), subsystem qualification, site commissioning, and risk mitigation across multi-year fusion hardware projects.
- Cabled HTS Design: Specify and optimize high-current cabled HTS conductors, managing thermomechanical stresses, high-field Lorentz forces, and thermal quench propagation.
- Large-scale manufacturing: Specify and review designs in the 1-10m range and in the 10-100 Tonne range.
- Electro-Mechanical Integration: Direct coupling between high-current electrical power leads, quench detection systems, cryogenic cooling interfaces, and structural mechanical supports.
- Vendor & Lifecycle Management: Oversee technical deliverables for HTS tape/cable vendors, manufacturing facilities, and integration test platforms.
Core Competencies & Requirements:
- Superconducting Systems: Proven track record design and delivery of high-field (10T+) HTS cabled magnets or low-temperature (LTS) Cable-in-Conduit Conductors (CICC) for fusion applications.
- Program Execution: Demonstrated ownership of major lifecycle milestones in complex megaprojects (e.g., W7x, JT60SA, KSTAR, ITER -scale setups, or commercial fusion ventures) with budget ownership $10M - $50M.
- Failure Analysis & Test Operations: Hands-on leadership of full-scale magnet testing, cryogenic qualification (4.2K–20K), and post-test forensics.
- Start-up experience: Has dealt with the demands of a fast-growing start-up.
- Large-scale magnet manufacturing experience: Demonstrated experience with dealing with the challenges of forgings, composite insulation, solder potting in the 1-10m length scale and aware of the challenges.
- Applied Superconductivity: REBCO 2G-HTS tape mechanics, strain limitations, current distribution, AC losses, and tape-to-cable joint architecture.
- Multiphysics Engineering: FEA modeling coupling electromagnetic forces (Lorentz/Maxwell), structural stress analysis, thermal management, and fluid flow (gaseous/supercritical helium).
- Quench Protection & Diagnostics: Active and passive protection systems, voltage tap arrays, fiber-optic temperature sensors, and high-speed dump circuit interfaces.
- Strategic Risk Mitigation: Mastery of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) applied to cryogenic system failures, vacuum loss (loss of vacuum/L VAC), and runaway quench scenarios.
- Systems Engineering: CONOPS, requirements, Interface control documentation (ICD), requirements traceability, and cross-functional leadership spanning electrical and mechanical teams.
- Software Tools: Proficiency with ANSYS, COMSOL, OPERA, MATLAB/Simulink, or custom HTS electrodynamic modeling tools.
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Nuclear Engineering.
Direct Experience (10 - 15 Years Required)
Domain Knowledge
Technical & Leadership Skills
Education
#LI-RD1
Company Benefits:
- Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
- Employee equity stock options
- 20 days PTO
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.
Skills Required
- 10–15 years of direct professional experience
- Proven experience designing and delivering high-field 10T+ HTS cabled magnets or LTS Cable-in-Conduit Conductors for fusion applications
- Experience owning major lifecycle milestones in complex fusion megaprojects
- Budget ownership of $10 million–$50 million programs
- Hands-on leadership of full-scale magnet testing, cryogenic qualification at 4.2K–20K, and post-test forensics
- Experience working in a fast-growing startup
- Large-scale magnet manufacturing experience, including forgings, composite insulation, and solder potting at 1–10 meter scale
- Knowledge of REBCO 2G HTS tape mechanics, strain limits, current distribution, AC losses, and tape-to-cable joint architecture
- Multiphysics engineering experience involving electromagnetic forces, structural stress, thermal management, and helium fluid flow
- Experience with quench protection and diagnostics, including voltage taps, fiber-optic temperature sensors, and dump circuit interfaces
- Mastery of FMEA for cryogenic failures, vacuum loss, and runaway quench scenarios
- Systems engineering experience with CONOPS, requirements, interface control documentation, requirements traceability, and cross-functional leadership
- Proficiency with ANSYS, COMSOL, OPERA, MATLAB/Simulink, or custom HTS electrodynamic modeling tools
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Nuclear Engineering
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The Company
What We Do
Thea Energy is a fusion energy company dedicated to creating a limitless source of zero-emission energy for a sustainable future. By reinventing the stellarator using arrays of mass-manufacturable magnets and dynamic software controls, they aim to commercialize scalable and economical fusion power systems, transitioning from scientific research to practical, commercial operations.
