---
title: 'Director of Contracts at Fuse'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-contracts-fuse-washington-jwcd5z44856p'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Director of Contracts at Fuse

- **Company:** Fuse
- **Location:** Washington, DC
- **Compensation:** $180k–$250k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-08-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/fuse/8358e376-338d-4b9d-9d39-2924e244c05a

## 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

You'll be responsible for Fuse's federal contracting portfolio from acquisition strategy through execution. This is not a narrow contracts-administration role. You'll help shape how Fuse pursues, negotiates, structures, and executes complex U.S. government work, while keeping the company compliant as the portfolio grows.

## 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

- Guide the planning, proposal support, negotiation, and execution/maintenance of US federal government contract vehicles.
- Be responsible for the end-to-end, cradle-to-grave contracting process across the federal contract portfolio.
- Develop and grow a library of strategic agreements and contracts to enable clear, efficient engagement with US federal government customers.
- Collaborate with legal, product, sales, and engineering teams to drive strategic contract pricing and terms and conditions.
- Support business development and other functional teams in identifying, assessing, and developing new contract opportunities.
- Support development of strategic partnerships with outside businesses to enable unique contract teaming arrangements.
- Be responsible for operational compliance with cybersecurity and supply chain requirements applicable to federal contracts, including CMMC, Section 889, supply chain risk management (SCRM), and FOCI/CFIUS-related contractual obligations, in coordination with security, IT, and legal.
- Manage GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule) administration, including modifications and scope reviews.

## MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- 8+ years of experience working on US government contracts matters.
- Solid understanding of the government procurement process, particularly contract vehicles and types, including non-traditional and new technology acquisition approaches.
- Judgment and initiative to lead multiple projects end-to-end.
- Quick learner and independent performer who also contributes effectively to a broader team.
- High attention to detail and a process-oriented approach, paired with a willingness to push for new or creative solutions and applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability leading teams through the planning and execution of complex contracts for major systems and services.
- Experience with contract lifecycle management and government-contracting business systems.
- Enjoys working in a collaborative environment and implementing innovative solutions across the organization.

## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- 10+ years of experience in complex US government contracting/acquisition.
- Direct experience both within the US government and private industry.
- Expert knowledge of and practical experience interpreting and applying the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and other FAR supplements (e.g., GSAM).
- Direct experience spanning all major contract types (FFP, FPI, CPIF, CPAF, CPFF, T&M, BOA, ID/IQ), including LOE and outcome-based/completion contracts, as well as hands-on experience with Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), and commercial-item acquisitions under FAR Part 12.
- Active security clearance.

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

- This is not a remote position and will require relocation if not already local to Fuse's Washington, DC or San Leandro, CA facility (as applicable to this role).
- Position requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends when needed.
- Position may require some business travel to other Fuse facilities.

## SECURITY CLEARANCE

This role may require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

## 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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