Materials Scientist

Job Description

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 looking for an experienced, highly motivated materials scientist to join its rapidly growing team. You will have ownership over the identification, selection, and development of materials and coatings throughout the stellarator. You will be part of a team evaluating materials for various environments and eventual selection and specification of materials for production. You will be responsible for developing and maturing various material processes including joining and coatings. You will work with industry and research partners to develop the next generation of materials and coatings for use in fusion systems. The Thea Energy team is comprised of driven and creative individuals passionate about solving complex problems.

Key Responsibility Areas:

• Have ownership of the selection and development of near-term and long-term materials compatible with the fusion environment
• Work with engineers and researchers to explore novel materials, material joining methods, including process validation, and inspection techniques
• Work with industry partners on developing materials at a scale sufficient to meet the production deadlines
• Investigate the effects of the fusion environment on components to estimate lifetime, failure modes, inspection interval, and repair/replacement options
• Work with industry partners to develop plasma facing coatings and novel material systems
• Track and report results and progress against program goals and milestones
• Communicate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

• M.S. in Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, or Physics (Ph.D. preferred)
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant industry or research experience
• Deep expertise in plasma-facing components (PFCs), neutron irradiation damage, or high-heat-flux materials
• Demonstrated experience with material joining techniques for complex components (brazing, welding, diffusion bonding, spray coating)
• Demonstrated experience with SEM and mechanical testing techniques for metallics, ceramics, and composites
• Experience analyzing material degradation in a high-radiation environment is highly desirable
• Familiarity with HTS tape architectures or insulation materials for superconducting magnets is a plus
• Familiarity with material modeling software and techniques
• Familiarity with relevant material testing standards (e.g., ASTM, ASME) is a plus
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and conducting design reviews.
• Ability to manage external vendor relationships and supply chain timelines
• Experience owning systems or processes
• Comfortable working to aggressive deadlines
• Exceptional work ethic
• Ability to execute and flourish in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
• Strong team member with clear communication and collaboration skills
• Innate desire to learn, innovate, and critique ideas including one’s own

Company Benefits:

• Salary range $135,000-$210,000
• 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.