Fabrication Lead

The role

You will oversee the end-to-end delivery of vacuum chamber vessels and large complex steel assemblies. This includes leading procurement, fabrication, machining, and installation of vacuum components.

What you will do

• Own the execution of vacuum vessel and component fabrication from design-for-manufacturability through final site installation.
• Drive requests for quotation and technical bid reviews for complex vacuum components.
• Manage fabrication of mission critical vacuum components and power flow components.
• Build detailed execution plans including vacuum leak testing, qualification, and turnover documentation.
• Coordinate with vacuum physicists and design engineers to optimize system performance and reliability.
• Manage suppliers of specialized vacuum hardware and precision machined components.
• Travel to meet with suppliers.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in high or ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems, including design, fabrication, and installation.
• Deep understanding of vacuum fabrication (welding, surface finish, sealing and cleanliness) and leak detection techniques (e.g., helium leak testing).
• Experience with stainless steel fabrication processes and cleanliness standards for vacuum service.
• Familiarity with vacuum system assembly, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with aerospace grade fabrication of large & complex stainless steel assemblies with intricate machined features, tight tolerances and smooth surface finish.

Nice to have

• Experience with large-scale UHV systems for fusion, aerospace, or accelerator physics.
• Machining of aerospace grade complex and large assemblies.
• Hands-on experience with cleanroom practices and assembly.
• Familiarity with nonconformance resolution in vacuum hardware.

Benefits

• Industry-Competitive Salary
• Equity Plan
• 6% Employer 401k Matching
• Generous Paid Time Off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Before you apply

• This position may require access to information or technology subject to U.S. export control laws.
• Access is provided only to individuals classified as U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, or asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending).

About the company

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy. The company is designing and building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system.