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Ion Source Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

W3Global Inc.

Electrical Engineer

Ithaca, NY · Hybrid

$80K - $100K/yr

About the job We are seeking a highly qualified Electrical Engineer (R&D) with deep expertise in ... Ion source control systems o Low-noise detection and signal acquisition electronics

Redwood Materials

OR · On-site

Business Development Manager - Consumer Technology We are seeking a Business Development Manager ... source and recycle lithium-ion batteries. This role is vital to our overall mission and is a key ...

TAE

Sr Scientist - Neutral Beams

Foothill Ranch, CA · On-site

$94K - $129K/yr

... source and high energy NB (1 MeV, 5 MW), based on negative ions source. You will participate in ... Develop/study/optimize ion beam optics * Development of the new NB for the future plasma machine ...

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How much do ion source development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for ion source development in the United States is $58,149.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in ion source development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in ion source development often encounter challenges such as optimizing beam stability, maintaining vacuum integrity, and managing the wear of ion source components due to high-energy processes. Addressing these challenges typically involves interdisciplinary collaboration with engineers and physicists, routine maintenance schedules, and ongoing experimentation with new materials or designs. Staying updated with the latest advancements in ion source technology and actively participating in industry forums can also provide practical solutions and support career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Ion Source Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Ion Source Development, you need a strong background in physics or engineering, expertise in vacuum systems, and hands-on experience with particle accelerators or similar equipment, often supported by an advanced degree. Familiarity with simulation software, CAD tools, and instrumentation systems is typically required, along with knowledge of safety standards and relevant certifications. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative design and operation of ion sources critical to research and industrial applications.

What is ion source development?

Ion source development is the process of designing, constructing, and optimizing devices that generate ions for use in various scientific and industrial applications, such as particle accelerators, mass spectrometry, and materials processing. Specialists in this field work on improving the efficiency, stability, and longevity of ion sources, as well as adapting them for specific applications. This often involves interdisciplinary knowledge of physics, engineering, and vacuum technology. Ion source development is essential for advancing research capabilities and industrial processes that rely on high-quality ion beams.
Infographic showing various Ion Source Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 96% Full Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 86% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,149 per year, or $28 per hour.

Senior Neutral Beam Scientist

Eos Atomics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

About Us
Eos Atomics is not a traditional defense contractor. We're a deep-tech fusion startup with ambitious goals and the drive to deliver impossibly cool technology in service of a greater good. We believe that fusion will transform humanity's relationship with energy and holds the key to unlocking a sustainable future across the board.
We're builders, fusion wonks, dot connectors, and creative problem solvers.
We're self-starters-we take ownership and hit the ground running.
We move at a pace that allows us to reach milestones in months, not years. Monday's idea is Friday's prototype.
Everyone at Eos Atomics is responsible for meaningful, mission-driven work. This is hard tech, solving hard problems.
Our Core Values Drive Everything We Do
Evolve to Innovate - Amplify what's good; change what isn't. Pressure-test, iterate, and seek diverse views, experiences, and expertise. Develop wide peripheral vision.
Move Fast, Simplify & Go - In our tireless pursuit of results, we act with urgency-complacency has no place here. We do not get lost in unnecessary nuance. We ask questions when we don't know and answer questions when we do. Flexibility is key.
For the Greater Good - We're not here to chase titles, name-drop, or rest and vest. We're here to move the needle in fusion energy-arguably the most difficult deep-tech field-because when we get it right, we have a unique opportunity to positively impact the entire planet. And we have a hell of a good time doing it.
Do the Right Thing - Take responsibility, embrace truth, and offer transparency. We are serious people working on serious challenges, and we act with the highest levels of integrity, credibility, and respect.
About the Role
At Eos Atomics, we're driven to accelerate the energy transition to clean and affordable fusion energy, for a sustainable and energy-abundant future. Developing high energy, compact, and economic neutral beams is critical to this mission, and we intend to lead this segment. Our vision is to deliver 100MW of beams by 2035, and 1GW of beams by 2050. And we're building a world class team to get the job done.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced physicist with specialized expertise in Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) systems for plasma heating in fusion devices. The ideal candidate will lead technical development, optimization, and implementation of next-generation NBI systems that address the critical plasma heating and current drive requirements for our fusion energy program.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and optimize neutral beam injection systems for plasma heating and current drive applications
  • Lead experimental campaigns to characterize NBI performance and integration with plasma operations
  • Spearhead innovative solutions to overcome challenges in beam energy, neutralization efficiency, and beam-plasma coupling
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including vacuum systems, power supplies, diagnostics, and plasma physics groups
  • Develop physics models and simulation tools for NBI system performance prediction and optimization
  • Author technical publications and present research findings at international conferences
  • Mentor junior physicists and engineers working on beam-related projects
  • Interface with external collaborators and vendors on NBI system components and integration

Required Qualifications
  • PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or closely related field
  • Minimum 7+ years of hands-on experience with neutral beam injection systems for fusion applications
  • Demonstrated expertise in one or more core NBI subsystems: ion sources, accelerator grids, neutralizers, beam dumps, or power delivery systems
  • Strong understanding of beam-plasma interactions and the role of NBI in plasma heating, current drive, and momentum injection
  • Experience with relevant diagnostic techniques for beam characterization and performance assessment
  • Proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals on NBI or related fusion technologies
  • Programming skills for data analysis and physics modeling (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent)
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities and technical leadership
  • Experience with project management and coordination of technical teams

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with negative-ion-based NBI systems for high energy applications (>100 keV)
  • Background in Multicusp-Filament, RF-driven or other advanced ion source technologies
  • Familiarity with tokamak or stellarator plasma physics and operational constraints
  • Knowledge of beam-line component cooling and high-heat-flux engineering
  • Experience with ITER, JET, DIII-D, EAST, KSTAR, JT-60SA, or other major fusion facilities
  • Understanding of broader fusion integration challenges and reactor-relevant conditions
  • Background in relevant simulation tools (ANSYS, COMSOL, Monte Carlo beam design codes, etc.)

Builder Mentality Requirements
  • Self-starter who thrives in resource-constrained environments
  • Enjoys hands-on work and isn't afraid to build, test, and iterate rapidly
  • Creates technical solutions that balance theoretical elegance with practical implementation
  • Demonstrated history of taking ownership of challenging technical problems

What We Offer
  • Opportunity to shape the direction of groundbreaking technology from its inception
  • Autonomy to build your technical team and establish engineering culture
  • Chance to work at the cutting edge of nuclear technology and aerospace applications
  • Equity package commensurate with the critical nature of this role
  • Competitive salary

Join us as we seek to make infinite, clean fusion power a universal reality.

Apply