Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Job DescriptionJob Description

About the Company

Our client is building the world’s first fusion energy power plant at their headquarters in the Seattle metro area. Their mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable electricity at scale, unlocking a future of virtually limitless energy.

Backed by over $1 billion from long-term investors including Sam Altman and Capricorn Investment Group, they're in a position to do something no company has done before. Their last prototype completed 10,000 high-power pulses and reached plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius (9 keV), and this role will be critical to the success of their next- system, now in development.

This is a pivotal time to come on board. You will tackle real-world challenges with a team that prizes urgency, rigor, ownership, and a commitment to delivering hard truths. Together, you will change the future of energy, because the world can't wait.

About the Role

In this position, you’ll lead a core R&D hardware team responsible for the capacitor bank system – our client’s high-voltage energy storage and recovery mechanism for the fusion device. This is not a sustaining engineering role; it is first-principles, new-product-introduction work where you will own both technical direction and team development.

You will design, prototype, and scale complex electromechanical assemblies under challenging constraints like high voltage (tens of kV), arcing, thermal management, and tight packaging while growing a high-performing engineering team. You will establish technical standards, drive execution, and shape design processes to increase the speed and quality of innovation.

Our client has significant in-house prototyping and manufacturing capabilities – parts can be turned in ~2 days, and you’ll have the support of over 40 R&D technicians. You’ll also have the support of specialized teams : multi-physics simulation experts, plasma physicists, and advanced modeling groups. There’s a clear path for both scope growth and promotion as this team scales toward commercialization.

Responsibilities

Full ownership of all components and assemblies within the capacitor bank

Electromechanical integration – think actuators, bus / battery systems, transformer-type hardware

New Product Introduction – scaling from low-volume to high-rate production

Drive cost-effective, manufacturable designs without sacrificing performance / reliability

Oversee design of machine architecture, high-performance magnets, support structures, fuel systems, thermal management systems, and vacuum systems

Grow and mentor a team of multidisciplinary mechanical engineers

Drive schedule ownership and optimization across the team to accelerate milestones

Lead design, analysis, and manufacturing process improvements to increase throughput

Collaborate with Research, Science, Electrical, and Controls teams to derive requirements and meet program goals

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

5+ years of engineering experience, including 2+ years in an engineering leadership role

Strong mechanical design and prototyping skills

Experience with high voltage (tens of thousands of volts)

Demonstrated ability to grow engineers and impact career development

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams with full-scope project ownership

Proven ability to manage complex engineering projects with schedule accountability

Hands-on exposure to multiple engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, and fluids

Ability to apply engineering first-principles and structured problem-solving to technical challenges

Logistical Requirements

This is an onsite role in the Seattle metro area.

You will report to the Senior Manager of Engineering.

ITAR Requirements

This role requires access to information subject to U.S. export control laws (ITAR / EAR). Applicants must be “U.S. Persons” (U.S. , lawful permanent , or certain protected individuals) or eligible under the TSR license exception. We cannot consider applicants who require an export control license.

Compensation

Our client’s compensation package includes a competitively benchmarked base salary, meaningful equity grants, and comprehensive benefits. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and their commitment to internal equity - ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams. They’re committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation.

Annual Base Pay : $170,000 - $200,000 USD

This is an exempt salaried role.

Benefits

The total compensation package includes benefits, including but not limited to :

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and their families

31 days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days)

10 paid holidays, plus company-wide winter break

Up to 5% employer 401(k) match

Short term , long term , and life insurance

Paid parental leave and support (up to 16 weeks)

Annual wellness stipend

Equal Opportunity

Our client is an equal opportunity employer and values . They do not discriminate based on , , , , , , , marital status, veteran status, or status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let them know.

About AdAstra

AdAstra Talent Advisors is a headhunting and talent advising firm focused on the Climate, Space, and Defense sectors of Hard Tech. We specialize in pairing highly technical and executive talent with some of the world’s leading Hard Tech startups.

At AdAstra, we catalyze the innovations that future depend on by placing the right people in the right seats. Our dedicated work enables inconceivable technology from Earth, to the stars. And it’s all because of trailblazing talent like you - those driven to do what’s never been done before.

We care about long term relationships with both candidates and companies. Even if the role we initially discuss isn’t a perfect fit, it’s likely we’ll have something relevant to share with you in the future.

Join us on our journey by following along via LinkedIn!

CEO, Seyka Mejeur | LinkedIn profile

CTO / COO, Brian Mejeur | LinkedIn profile

AdAstra Talent Advisors | LinkedIn profile

AdAstra Website

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