Senior Mechanical Engineer
Join Pacific Fusion as a Senior Mechanical Engineer to innovate mechanical designs for advanced fusion energy systems.
Posted by employer 1 day ago
First seen on Joblaze 22 hours ago
Last verified on the company career page 22 hours ago
Skills & Technologies
What you'll build
- Develop innovative mechanical designs
- Lead design changes and improvements
- Perform mechanical analysis
- Conduct design reviews
- Oversee creation of design documentation
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
- 5+ years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer
- Proficiency in CAD software
- Experience with Finite Element Analysis
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes
Nice to have
- Experience in fusion or plasma physics
- Familiarity with vacuum systems
- Exposure to large-scale structural systems
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
In the role of Senior Mechanical Engineer at Pacific Fusion, the individual will focus on designing and validating mechanical systems for advanced fusion energy platforms, tackling complex engineering challenges. Key skills include proficiency in CAD software, experience with Finite Element Analysis, and a strong grasp of manufacturing processes. This position is ideal for seasoned engineers with a background in multi-disciplinary systems, particularly those who thrive in innovative and high-stakes environments. The company, founded in 2023, is rapidly advancing its mission to develop commercial fusion energy.
Joblaze insights
- Listed today — first seen on Joblaze November 6, 2026. Last confirmed on Pacific Fusion's careers page November 6, 2026.
- This exact title is also open at 1 other location at Pacific Fusion: San Leandro, CA.
- Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,000).
- Starts above 24% of 41 comparable senior other roles in United States that list Mechanical Engineering we track (median $145,000 across 19 companies). See Mechanical Engineering salary trends
- Mechanical Engineering appears in 3.3% of 2669 comparable senior other roles in United States; finite element analysis appears in 0.6% of 2669 comparable senior other roles in United States.
Quick facts
- What's the salary range?
- Pacific Fusion lists $138,100–$207,100 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Senior Mechanical Engineer role.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: CAD, Mechanical Engineering, finite element analysis.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Pacific Fusion targets senior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Senior Mechanical Engineer role at Pacific Fusion.
From the original posting
About Pacific Fusion
Why This Role Matters
Pacific Fusion is seeking an exceptional Senior Mechanical Engineer to help create the path to commercial fusion energy. You will help with the design, analysis, integration, and validation of mechanical systems and components across our advanced fusion energy platform. This role sits at the intersection of precision engineering and first-of-kind technology, demanding both deep technical expertise and the creative problem-solving mindset needed to tackle challenges no one has solved before. You will lead collaborative projects, mentor junior engineers, and play a vital role in driving our overall development effort.
What You'll Do
- Develop innovative mechanical designs for complex engineering problems across our fusion systems, from vacuum vessels and structural assemblies to diagnostics hardware and experimental fixtures.
- Lead design changes and improvements, owning components from concept through fabrication and test.
- Work closely with vendors and manufacturers to ensure designs are practical, cost-effective, and manufacturable.
- Perform mechanical analysis — including stress, thermal, and dynamic loading — to validate designs against requirements.
- Conduct and participate in design reviews, providing critical feedback to improve system performance and reliability.
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams spanning plasma physics, pulsed power, electrical, software, and manufacturing engineering to deliver integrated system-level designs.
- Oversee the creation of detailed design documentation, drawings, and specifications.
- Participate in risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for novel engineering challenges.
- Stay current with relevant advancements in mechanical design, materials, and manufacturing technologies.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering required; Master's or PhD is a plus.
- 5+ years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer, ideally with exposure to complex, multi-disciplinary systems.
- Proficiency in CAD software (Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent) and strong 3D modeling habits.
- Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural, thermal, or dynamic applications.
- Proven track record of taking mechanical designs from concept through fabrication and test.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability (DFM).
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to mentor and guide junior engineers.
- Hands-on experience in laboratory or prototype environments — comfortable with rapid iteration and ambiguity.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate trade-offs clearly across disciplines.
Bonus Points
- Experience in fusion, plasma physics, accelerator physics, defense, or other high-consequence technical environments.
- Familiarity with vacuum systems, cryogenics, high-voltage hardware, or pulsed power components.
- Exposure to large-scale structural systems, pressure vessels, or custom capital equipment.
TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
RECRUITING AGENCIES
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