---
title: 'Computational Physicist at Fuse'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/computational-physicist-fuse-san-leandro-17bchfdkhjhw'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-10'
---

# Computational Physicist at Fuse

- **Company:** Fuse
- **Location:** San Leandro, CA
- **Compensation:** $150k–$200k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Fuse/c93fad82-bdab-4a37-9f2a-eaf579436fe7

## Job description

## ABOUT FUSE

We are building one of the most potentially consequential companies of the century. Our mission is to accelerate the world's transition to fusion energy while safeguarding humankind. This is not a normal company. This is not a normal job. We are committed for the long term to win.

## ABOUT THE ROLE

Fuse is the first private company building a fusion facility based on Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF), an approach proven through a decade of simulation and experiments at Sandia National Laboratories. Our next milestone is Z-Star, a 15 TW Next Generation Pulsed Power (NGPP) facility built on TITAN, our in-house Impedance Matched Marx Generator (IMG) and the highest-power IMG in the world. As a Computational Physicist, you will develop the models and simulations that predict how our pulsed-power systems actually behave, from high-voltage pulse generation to energy coupling into the plasma load, turning physics, mathematics and computational methods into predictions the team can build on.

## WHAT WE VALUE

- Obsess about the details — sloppy work costs us later, so do it right the first time.
- Care — pick up the trash. Do things no one asks you to do. Go the extra mile because you care.
- Act with urgency — every hour matters more than it feels like it does.
- Be responsible for the outcome, not just the task; if it is not working, it remains your problem until it is fixed.
- Assume good intent — disagree openly, then commit fully once a call is made.

## CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop and run simulations of pulsed-power systems using circuit, MHD and PIC models.
- Use and extend the SCREAMER circuit code to model high-voltage pulse generation and delivery.
- Model impedance matching in Marx generators and analyze energy coupling into plasma loads.
- Run MHD simulations of plasma dynamics in Z-pinch and MagLIF configurations.
- Run and analyze PIC simulations of plasma interactions and beam dynamics.
- Work with experimentalists to validate models against data and optimize system performance.
- Build custom computational tools and optimize existing codes for high-performance computing (HPC).
- Document and share results through technical reports, publications and presentations.

## MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Ph.D. or M.S. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics or a related field.
- Strong background in computational plasma physics and high-energy-density physics.
- Proficiency in MHD and PIC simulation techniques.
- Experience with SCREAMER, MAGIC, HYDRA or similar circuit and plasma codes.
- Strong programming skills in Python, Fortran or C++ for numerical modeling.
- Experience with HPC environments and parallel computing.
- Ability to present complex results clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with Z-pinch, MagLIF, dense plasma focus or other pulsed-power fusion concepts.
- Experience with finite element (FEA) or finite difference time domain (FDTD) methods.
- Knowledge of electromagnetic wave propagation and plasma-material interactions.
- Experience working alongside experimental plasma physics or fusion research teams.
- Strong publication record in computational physics or a related field.

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

- This is not a remote position and will require relocation if not already local to Fuse's San Leandro, CA facility.
- Occasional travel to other Fuse locations and partner facilities.

## BENEFITS

- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Relocation assistance for roles that require it.
- Flexible time off. Take what you need, no accrual tracking.
- 2 weeks of paid time off built into the end of each year (subject to team and business needs).
- Supportive leave of absence policies.
- Paid leave for new parents.

## ITAR REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

## EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Fuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Fuse is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, ancestry, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

## About Fuse

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Fuse is a fusion energy and defense company developing magnetized-liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) technology to deliver clean, on-demand power while providing radiation testing services for national security customers.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A)
- **Headquarters**: San Leandro, California, United States (operates "Fuseville" facility)
- **Founded**: 2018 (per CB Insights) or 2019 (per Wikipedia); founder J.C. Btaiche started the company at age 19
- **Founders**: J.C. Btaiche

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Fusion energy, defense, nuclear effects testing, pulsed power engineering
- **Target customers**: U.S. government (Air Force, NNSA, national labs), defense contractors, eventually commercial energy utilities
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Accelerating the World’s Transition to Fusion Energy" — building the fastest practical path to abundant, clean, safe, on-demand energy

## Products & Services
- **TITAN**: A 1 TW Impedance-Matched Marx Generator (IMG) — the essential MagLIF pulser building block. World’s first high-energy, high-power IMG, demonstrated in 2024 with results published in *Nature Scientific Reports*.
- **Z-Star**: A 15 TW MagLIF generator designed to iterate on and solve system engineering challenges (targeting 2027).
- **Apeiron I**: A pilot fusion plant design aiming to demonstrate a MagLIF hybrid plant core (targeting 203x).
- **FAETON I**: Neutron-producing fusion generator (over 1 trillion neutrons generated).
- **Radiation Testing Services (HEART)**: Hardened Electronics And Radiation Testing — providing short-burst radiation testing for government and commercial hardware resilience.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Over $200 million as of September 2024 (per Bloomberg News)
- **Total Funding**: $32 million raised (Series A)
- **Key Metric**: 100+ employees; 2 patents filed; 53 employees as of 2024 (Wikipedia)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Bracket Capital, Tamarack Global, Buckley Ventures. Government partners: U.S. Air Force, National Nuclear Security Administration, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- **Growth Signals**: Awarded USAF contract (Feb 2024); published in *Nature Scientific Reports* (July 2024); former NNSA Administrator Lisa Gordon-Hagerty joined board; building Z-Star and Apeiron I platforms; operating a radiation facility covered by *Wired*.

## Competitive Advantages
- **MagLIF approach**: Integrates proven fusion technologies (magnetic and inertial) — demonstrated feasible by Sandia National Lab (2018, 2022). Fuse’s focus on engineering efficiency and affordability aims to solve repetition rate and cost barriers.
- **Rapid iteration**: Delivered two neutron-producing fusion generators and the world’s first IMG pulser in under three years, on time and on a lean budget.
- **Dual-use revenue model**: Generates revenue now through nuclear effects testing for defense customers while developing long-term fusion power — de-risking the path to commercial fusion.
- **Deep government relationships**: Contracts with USAF, NNSA, and CRADAs with Sandia and Los Alamos. Advisory board includes former Under Secretary of Energy, former CIA COO, former NSA Deputy Director, and senior military officers.
- **Patents**: 2 filed patents protecting core technology.

## Strategic Focus
- **Immediate**: Scale the pulsed power driver technology (Z-Star) and continue delivering radiation testing services to defense and intelligence customers.
- **Medium-term**: Demonstrate a MagLIF hybrid plant core with Apeiron I.
- **Long-term**: Deploy commercial fusion power plants, achieving 90% energy efficiency and enabling clean, on-demand energy at scale.
- **Talent**: Aggressively hiring for plasma physics, electrical engineering, pulse power, mechanical engineering, and experimental physics roles.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as "misfits, tinkerers, skeptics, doers" — drawn to impossible problems. Values include frugality, speed, hands-on experimentation, and deep technical conviction. "Fuse is not a comfortable environment" — no bean bag chairs; many live, eat, and work at the facility.
- **Work environment**: "Fuseville" — a shipping-container communal living facility adjacent to the lab. Bed-to-reactor commute under 60 seconds. Sleep pods available. You'll likely build your own desk. "We really skimp on furniture."
- **Compensation**: Low salaries — "you should be willing to work for free. While you will receive a minimum base so that you can survive, money and lifestyle is not the motivator." Significant stock option upside if fusion succeeds. "Fair wages. Long hours. High voltage. Success far from guaranteed."
- **Benefits**: Competitive healthcare plan. High-end computer setup and cloud computing resources. "Everyone on the team has skin in the game."
- **Who should apply**: Self-motivated, deeply internally driven, humble yet brilliant, fusion geeks who built Polywells in high school, boundary-pushers who "get shit done." Must be comfortable with deferred gratification and high risk.
- **Remote/hybrid policy**: Not explicitly stated, but the "Fuseville" on-site living model suggests heavy in-person presence is expected. "Commuting makes your blood boil" is a stated value.
- **Notable perks**: Working on one of humanity’s hardest problems alongside top 1% talent; national security impact; potential enormous financial reward via stock options; "glory in case of ignition."

## Sources
1. [f.energy](https://www.f.energy/)
2. [f.energy - About](https://www.f.energy/about-fuse-energy)
3. [f.energy - Join Us](https://www.f.energy/join-us)
4. [CB Insights](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/fuse-energy-technologies)
5. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuse_Energy_Technologies_Corporation)
6. [Jobs page](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/fuse)

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