Position Summary

The Head of NBI Development leads Realta Fusion's Neutral Beam Injector R&D team, driving the design, analysis, and integration of NBI systems and subsystems for our magnetic mirror fusion devices. This senior technical leadership role demands deep scientific and engineering expertise, proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, and the vision to translate physics requirements into manufacturable, reliable hardware. The ideal candidate combines hands-on technical credibility with strategic leadership, thriving in a fast-paced environment where engineering decisions directly impact our path to commercial fusion energy. The Head of NBI Development owns the NBI roadmap from experimental devices through pilot plant and commercial deployment.

Company Overview

Realta Fusion is a rapidly growing start-up developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to address the biggest challenge of our time – tackling global climate change while ensuring a sufficient energy supply for at least ten billion people on (and off) earth. We are building a team with diverse talents dedicated to making fusion energy a real solution to humanity’s most pressing problem.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Define and execute the technical roadmap for NBI systems across all company devices and future commercial applications

• Identify technology gaps between current capabilities and commercial fusion requirements, particularly for steady-state operation

• Lead make-vs-buy decisions for NBI components and subsystems based on technical maturity, cost, and schedule

• Establish design standards, qualification procedures, and configuration management practices for NBI systems

• Represent Realta in external collaborations with national laboratories, universities, and NBI technology suppliers

Team Leadership & Development

• Own the performance, reliability, and availability of all NBI systems across company experimental devices

• Lead troubleshooting of system failures and drive root cause analysis to prevent recurrence

• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimize unplanned downtime

• Optimize NBI operating parameters to maximize plasma heating efficiency and experimental productivity

• Ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance for high-voltage systems and radiation-producing equipment

NBI System Procurement & Deployment

• Serve as technical lead for external NBI procurement contracts and vendor partnerships

• Manage technical specifications, delivery schedules, and acceptance testing for purchased NBI systems

• Oversee commissioning activities and development of operational procedures for new NBI installations

Advanced NBI Development

• Lead internal R&D programs for novel NBI technologies required for steady-state fusion operation

• Drive development of high-duty-cycle ion sources, neutralizers, and thermal management solutions

• Evaluate emerging technologies including negative ion sources, RF ion sources, and advanced accelerator designs

• Manage prototype development, testing, and validation of next-generation NBI subsystems

• Develop cost models and manufacturing strategies for commercial-scale NBI production

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Build and manage NBI scientific team including ion source specialists, beamline scientists, and diagnostics experts

• Coordinate with experimental physics teams to align NBI capabilities with plasma heating requirements

• Work with project management to maintain schedules, budgets, and risk mitigation plans for NBI programs

• Collaborate with Director of Fusion Facilities on NBI infrastructure and safety requirements

• Partner with mechanical and electrical engineering teams on NBI system integration

• Ensure documentation, knowledge capture, and lessons learned across all NBI activities

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in physics, nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, or related field

• 15+ years experience in NBI system or accelerator beamline development

• 5+ years leading teams of 5+ people

• Track record delivering complex systems from concept through commissioning

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in neutral beam injection systems, ion sources, or related particle accelerator technologies

• Track record of managing complex experimental systems in fusion, accelerator, or plasma research environments

• Experience with NBI diagnostics, beam optics modeling, and performance analysis

Leadership & Execution

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing scientific teams

• Strong communication skills across technical and business audiences

• Demonstrated success solving first-of-a-kind technical challenges

• Comfortable in fast-paced startup environments with incomplete information and schedule pressure

Compensation & Benefits

What we are working on is hard… and hugely important. Realta Fusion is assembling a talented team bound together by a passion to solve humanity’s biggest challenge with first-of-a-kind technology. Additionally, Realta offers:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity stock options

• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)

• Flexible paid time off (PTO) to support work-life balance

• Work and live in Madison, Wisconsin — one of America’s most livable and vibrant cities

We value diversity as a critical factor in innovation and believe a diverse team is necessary to solve the toughest problems. We aim to create an inclusive environment that unleashes the full creativity of our team members from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.