Thea Energy

Develops fusion power via planar-coil stellarators

Senior Power Systems Engineer

Power Systems EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeKearny, NJ, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in power systems engineering, including substation design, grid integration, or industrial distribution infrastructure.
Experience with medium- and high-voltage distribution, transformer selection, protective relaying, and electrical safety; exposure up to 230 kV is preferred.
Proficiency with electrical system modeling and simulation tools such as ETAP, PowerFactory, SKM Power Tools, or PSCAD.
Strong understanding of IEEE, NFPA, and IEC standards, grounding calculations, and utility interconnection requirements.
Experience in power systems for fusion devices or accelerators.
Familiarity with Battery Energy Storage Systems, uninterruptible power supplies, and energy management systems.
Experience coordinating with utility providers, engineering, procurement, and construction contractors, and third-party interconnection consultants.
Understanding of power supply dynamic behavior, including magnet loads and pulsed systems, and its interaction with grid stability.
Knowledge of SCADA/EMS integration, protective device coordination, and commissioning procedures.
Simulation and analysis tools: ETAP, PowerFactory, PSCAD, SKM, and CYME.
CAD and design tools: AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, and Revit MEP.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to type, stand, or sit for extended periods.
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights, weekends, or on-call.
Ability to work in a facility with industrial hazards, including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.

Responsibilities

Lead design of the Eos power distribution architecture, including power supply systems, medium- and high-voltage distribution, medium-voltage switchgear, low-voltage panelboards, and critical backup circuits.
Define grounding, neutral earthing, surge protection, and lightning protection strategies for plant-wide electrical infrastructure.
Evaluate integration of grid interconnection, backup generators, STATCOM, and Battery Energy Storage Systems for load balancing, uninterruptible power supply capability, and magnet power recovery.
Run detailed load-flow, short-circuit, and transient-stability simulations using tools such as ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, or PSCAD.
Model time-varying load profiles for power supply systems and estimate steady-state and transient energy demands.
Contribute to the plant's overall power management strategy, load-shedding philosophy, and power-quality targets.
Develop technical specifications, single-line diagrams, protection philosophies, and equipment layouts.
Lead development of technical requirements for external engineering, procurement, and construction firms responsible for final design, construction, and commissioning.
Participate in design reviews, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, vendor interface, and field verification of electrical systems.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with medium- and high-voltage distribution up to 230 kV is preferred.

About Thea Energy:

Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.

Position Overview:

Thea Energy is seeking a Senior Electrical Distribution Systems Engineer to lead the design, specification, and integration of the power supplies, power distribution network, grid interface, STATCOM, and energy storage systems for the company’s Eos integrated stellarator. This role combines high-voltage substation and distribution infrastructure design with simulation-driven development of plant-wide energy management strategies.

This role will be responsible for defining and validating the full electrical infrastructure, ranging from the high/medium-voltage power supply systems, power generation units, HV/MV utility interconnection, and substation architecture to backup generators and BESS platforms. You will interface with external EPC and utility partners, while driving internal technical requirements, simulations, and review processes across the design, procurement, and commissioning lifecycle.

As part of a rapidly growing team, you’ll be part of the organizational build-up of a leading fusion energy company. This role will have a high degree of autonomy and must be able to move quickly. The Thea Energy team is comprised of self-motivated, creative, and fun individuals with an excitement for solving complex problems.

Key Responsibility Areas:

Lead the design of the Eos power distribution architecture, including power supply systems, medium and high-voltage distribution, MV switchgear, LV panelboards, and critical backup circuits.
Define grounding, neutral earthing, surge protection, and lightning protection strategies for plant-wide electrical infrastructure.
Evaluate integration of grid interconnection, backup generators, STATCOM, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for load balancing, UPS capability, and magnet power recovery.
Run detailed load flow, short-circuit, and transient stability simulations using tools such as ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, or PSCAD.
Model time-varying load profiles for power supply systems and estimate steady-state vs. transient energy demands.
Contribute to the plant’s overall power management strategy, load shedding philosophy, and power quality targets.
Develop technical specifications, single-line diagrams, protection philosophies, and equipment layouts.
Lead development of technical requirements for external EPC firms responsible for final design, construction, and commissioning.
Participate in design reviews, FAT/SAT, vendor interface, and field verification of electrical systems.

Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or related field.
7+ years of experience in power systems engineering, including substation design, grid integration, or industrial distribution infrastructure.
Experience with medium- and high-voltage distribution (up to 230 kV preferred), transformer selection, protective relaying, and electrical safety.
Proficiency in electrical system modeling and simulation tools, such as ETAP, PowerFactory, SKM Power Tools, or PSCAD
Strong understanding of IEEE, NFPA, IEC standards, grounding calculations, and utility interconnection requirements.
Experience in power systems for fusion devices or accelerators.
Familiarity with BESS systems, UPS, and energy management systems (EMS).
Experience coordinating with utility providers, EPC contractors, and third-party interconnection consultants.
Understanding of power supply dynamic behavior (e.g. magnet loads, pulsed systems) and interaction with grid stability.
Knowledge of SCADA/EMS integration, protective device coordination, and commissioning procedures.
Simulation & Analysis: ETAP, PowerFactory, PSCAD, SKM, CYME.
CAD & Design Tools: AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, Revit MEP.
Exceptional work ethic and communication skills.

Company Benefits:

Salary range $95,000-$160,000
Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
Employee equity stock options
20 days PTO

Requirements:

Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call.
Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.

It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

About the Company

Thea Energy

Develops fusion power via planar-coil stellarators

Thea Energy develops fusion-based power technology to provide scalable, zero-emission baseload electricity for utilities and heavy industry. Its approach uses a reimagined stellarator with flat, planar superconducting coils controlled by software-defined systems, replacing the traditional complex magnet geometry to lower costs and improve serviceability. Its Eos neutron-source device and Helios commercial power plant concept illustrate a pipeline from research to grid-ready power, backed by DOE milestones and public-private partnerships. The company aims to commercialize fusion as a dependable grid-level energy source and win long-term offtake agreements with utilities and large customers.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $145.8M
Headquarters: Princeton, NJ
Founded: 2022

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