Careers › Direct Energy Conversion Engineer — Burner DEC Train
Direct Energy Conversion Engineer — Burner DEC Train
Power ConversionFull-timeLos Angeles, CA (hybrid)
Turn charged particles straight into electricity — design the direct-energy-conversion train that removes the steam cycle from the burner.
About the role
Direct energy conversion is the burner's signature: no steam, far less water, charged-particle energy captured directly. You'll design the DEC train — travelling-wave, MHD, and thermionic stages — and the power electronics that deliver it to the grid.
What you'll do
- Design and model the multi-modal DEC train (TWDEC, MHD, thermionic).
- Own collector, electrode, and high-voltage standoff engineering.
- Analyze the efficiency and energy-recovery budget honestly.
- Design the power-electronics interface from DC bus to grid.
- Work expander and flux-expansion physics with the plasma team.
- Prototype and validate conversion sub-systems.
What you bring
- Background in plasma/beam physics, power conversion, or high-voltage engineering.
- Strong electromagnetics and power-electronics fundamentals.
- Comfort with charged-particle and beam dynamics.
- A build-and-measure mindset.
- Bonus: DEC, MHD, or accelerator experience.
Compensation
Compensation discussed early in the process; California pay range provided on request.
Apply