About Pacific Fusion 

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy.

We are rapidly designing and building a pulsed magnetic fusion system to achieve net facility gain (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems.

Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand. You can read more about us in this letter from our founders. 

About the Role

Job Overview:

Pacific Fusion is seeking an exceptional research intern to join our team and create the path to commercial fusion energy.

You will collaborate with the Modeling and Simulation team and the Target Design Physics team on a project to develop, validate, and/or apply advanced computational capabilities. Your work will contribute to the design and simulation of the fusion targets that form the heart of our advanced fusion energy systems.

We are looking for candidates interested in a 12-16 week, paid, in-person internship based in one of our Bay Area offices.

Responsibilities:

The main responsibility of a Computational Physics Intern is to complete a research project under the supervision of a Pacific Fusion mentor. Examples of impactful project include:

• Advancing the computational capabilities of the FLASH radiation-magnetohydrodynamics code for fusion target design

• Validating a computational capability in FLASH by comparing test problems to theory and/or experimental data

• Advancing user capabilities such as workflow tools, post-processing codes, and analysis techniques

• Applying FLASH or one of Pacific Fusion’s other computational capabilities to design an experiment that answers a key physics question on the path to commercial fusion energy

You will be expected to participate in team meetings, follow software development standards, and communicate the results of your work through oral presentations and written reports.

Qualifications:

• Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Physics, Engineering, or a related field

• Completed relevant coursework such as hydrodynamics, fluid mechanics, plasma physics, or statistical mechanics; differential equations; numerical methods; or computer programming.

• Experience using high-level programming languages such as python, Matlab, or IDL to perform numerical modeling or data analysis

• Able to work independently with limited guidance and proactively seek out the resources needed to complete the project

• Able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing

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. 

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know. 

Pacific Fusion does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. In the absence of such agreement, Pacific Fusion reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Pacific Fusion hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.