Mechanical Engineer

At nT-Tao, we are building a compact magnetic confinement fusion power system: a modular, repeatable unit designed to deliver clean electricity on-site, on- or off-grid.  

Founded in 2019, nT-Tao raised $34 million to date from Honda, East X Ventures, Delek US, NextGear Ventures, and others. The Israel Innovation Authority has awarded us repeated grants, most recently to build our next compact fusion demonstrator.  

We are looking for a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to join our multidisciplinary R&D team and take an active role in the design, development, integration, and commissioning of our experimental fusion systems and future prototypes. 

The position involves mechanical ownership of complex experimental systems operating under demanding conditions including vacuum, high magnetic fields, high currents, high voltage, pulsed operation, thermal loads, and RF/microwave environments. 

You will work closely with physicists, electrical and power-electronics engineers, technicians, suppliers, and manufacturing partners, taking systems from physical requirements and initial concepts through detailed design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and experimental operation. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Design mechanical systems, assemblies, and components for fusion experiments and laboratory infrastructure. 
• Translate physical and system-level requirements into practical mechanical designs. 
• Design and integrate vacuum vessels, vacuum interfaces, diagnostic ports, feedthroughs, seals, supports, magnetic-coil structures, RF/microwave components, cooling systems, and experimental hardware. 
• Perform mechanical design considering structural loads, thermal expansion, vacuum forces, electromagnetic forces, tolerances, alignment, accessibility, and maintainability. 
• Develop concepts and detailed CAD designs, engineering drawings, tolerance definitions, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation. 
• Select materials and manufacturing processes appropriate for vacuum, thermal, electrical-insulation, RF, and high-field environments. 
• Take an active hands-on role in assembly, installation, alignment, commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and modification of experimental systems. 
• Work closely with the physics and electrical teams during experimental campaigns and rapidly implement improvements based on experimental results. 
• Lead mechanical design reviews and maintain engineering documentation throughout the development process. 
• Work directly with machine shops, manufacturers, suppliers, and subcontractors, including technical specifications, quotation review, manufacturing follow-up, inspection, and acceptance. 

Required Qualifications and Skills 

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. 
• 3+ years of experience in mechanical design and development of multidisciplinary systems. 
• Strong experience with 3D CAD and production drawings using SolidWorks or similar tools. 
• Solid ability to read and create engineering drawings with GD&T, including tolerance definition and interpretation.  
• Working familiarity with a PDM system (SolidWorks PDM or similar) for revision control and release workflows.   
• Experience designing parts and assemblies for machining, sheet metal, welding, and other common manufacturing processes. 
• Practical working knowledge of 3D printing: designing printable parts (wall thickness, orientation, supports, achievable tolerances) and judgment on when to print versus machine. Familiarity with common technologies such as FDM, SLA, and SLS. Strong understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals including mechanics, materials, tolerances, heat transfer, and thermal expansion. 
• Strong hands-on engineering capabilities and willingness to work directly on experimental hardware. 
• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturers, machine shops, and subcontractors. 
• Experience transitioning R&D prototypes toward manufacturable products.  
• Ability to work effectively in a highly multidisciplinary environment with physicists, electrical engineers, technicians, and other mechanical engineers. 

Advantages 

• Experience designing vacuum systems, vacuum vessels, magnetic systems, electromagnets, or high-field laboratory equipment 
• Experience with thermal and structural FEA using ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation, COMSOL, or similar tools. 
• Experience with high-voltage systems and mechanical design for electrical insulation and clearance requirements. 
• Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative development in a startup or advanced R&D environment. 
• Experience with advanced additive manufacturing: metal AM, or printed parts for vacuum or high-temperature service.  
• Familiarity with inspection and acceptance: reading dimensional inspection reports, first-article inspection, and handling non-conformances with vendors.