Thea Energy

Facilities & Maintenance Technician

Join Thea Energy in Kearny, New Jersey as a Facilities & Maintenance Technician. This role ensures smooth operation of building systems, supports lab setups, and maintains safety compliance. Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and employee stock options while contributing to fusion energy innovation.
Thea Energy
Thea Energy
Kearny, New Jersey, United States On-site Full time USD 26–34 per hour UTC-04:00

Thea Energy

Company Overview

Thea Energy, originally known as Princeton Stellarators Inc.

Princeton, New Jersey, United States

2022

Employee count and revenue figures for 2023 or later remain undisclosed publicly, though it operates as a private fusion startup with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program as one of eight recipients (source: pppl.gov).

What They Do

Thea Energy focuses on advancing fusion energy through innovative stellarator designs, utilizing arrays of planar high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils to achieve stable magnetic confinement. This approach simplifies the traditional complex 3D modular magnets found in conventional stellarators, allowing for more efficient and effective fusion energy production (source: fusionxinvest.com). Their flagship system, named Eos after the Greek goddess of dawn, is designed to produce neutrons for tritium breeding, which is essential for validating their technology and enabling future commercial applications, such as steady-state fusion power plants (source: heatmap.news). The company's technology leverages modern computing power and HTS materials to optimize designs, providing inherent steady-state stability that mitigates disruptions commonly associated with tokamaks (source: thea.energy). Their target markets primarily include commercial fusion energy developers, with an initial focus on neutron sources for industrial applications, although specific customer segments have not been detailed (source: fusionxinvest.com). A key differentiator for Thea Energy is its rapid in-house manufacturing capabilities, which utilize tools like a CNC machine and a specialized device named "Zeus" for winding HTS tape, allowing for quick iterations and reducing reliance on outsourced labor (source: heatmap.news).

Projects & Track Record

As of now, Thea Energy has not completed any projects, as it is still in the early stages of development focused on prototyping its Eos system. This system is intended to serve as the first demonstrator for neutron and tritium production, but specific completion dates, capacity specifications, or project locations have not been reported (source: fusionxinvest.com). The company is actively engaged in building and testing planar HTS coil prototypes at its facility in Kearny, New Jersey, which is equipped with an open office space, laboratory, and small-scale manufacturing capabilities for magnet arrays (source: heatmap.news). Thea Energy's origins at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) provide it with strong partnerships and a foundation in stellarator research, with co-founder David Gates being a notable physicist and Edison Patent Award winner for his contributions to the field (source: pppl.gov). Currently, the geographic presence of Thea Energy is limited to New Jersey, and there have been no announcements regarding expansion, although the location benefits from proximity to significant fusion research hubs in the Northeast, including PPPL and Columbia University (source: heatmap.news).

Recent Developments

In 2023, prior to its rebranding, Princeton Stellarators Inc. received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, which supports advancements in stellarator technology toward commercialization (source: pppl.gov). However, there have been no reported contracts, acquisitions, mergers, or additional funding rounds in the last two years, as the company focuses on proprietary breakthroughs without public milestones or awards beyond Gates' personal Edison Patent (source: thea.energy). Thea Energy's website encourages subscription updates but does not list any recent press releases regarding major announcements, indicating a relatively quiet period in terms of public communications (source: thea.energy).

Working There

Information about working at Thea Energy is limited, but it appears to be suitable for job seekers interested in a small, early-stage fusion startup environment. Roles likely encompass engineering positions focused on magnet design, HTS winding, and CNC manufacturing, as well as physics research and operational roles, inferred from the facility's mix of open desks, lab work, and prototype building (source: heatmap.news). Hiring seems to be concentrated at the New Jersey site, with no remote or other location postings documented (source: fusionxinvest.com). The company culture appears to blend the agility of a tech startup with the practicalities of a laboratory environment, emphasizing local unionized labor for scalability and rapid prototyping, rather than relying on elite academic talent, all within a space that prioritizes manufacturing efficiency (source: heatmap.news). However, no documented benefits, salary data, or employee testimonials are available in public sources.


Last updated on Feb 23, 2026 | Report an issue

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.

The Facilities & Maintenance Technician is a critical role responsible for the upkeep, repair, and general maintenance of our physical infrastructure. You will support our engineering and research teams by ensuring a safe, organized, and fully functional work environment. As a non-exempt employee, this role is eligible for overtime and requires a reliable, "can-do" attitude.

Key Responsibility Areas

  • General Maintenance: Perform routine repairs including plumbing, basic electrical (lighting, switches), carpentry, and painting.
  • HVAC & Systems: Monitor building automation systems and perform basic preventative maintenance on HVAC units and air filtration systems.
  • Laboratory Support: Assist in the assembly of lab benches, installation of equipment utilities (compressed air, cooling water lines), and minor structural modifications.
  • Vendor Coordination: Escort and supervise external contractors (e.g., janitorial, landscaping, specialized MEP) to ensure work is completed safely and correctly.
  • Safety & Compliance: Conduct weekly safety walkthroughs, maintain fire extinguishers/eyewash stations, and ensure compliance with OSHA and local building codes. Support chemical management process with compliant chemical storage and disposal efforts.
  • Inventory Management: Track and order maintenance supplies, tools, and hardware to ensure zero downtime for facility needs.
  • Emergency Response: Serve as a point of contact for facility-related emergencies during and occasionally after standard business hours.

Ideal Experience & Skillsets

  • Experience: 3+ years of experience in commercial facilities maintenance, preferably within a laboratory, manufacturing, or high-tech environment.
  • Technical Proficiency: Strong understanding of building systems (MEP), power tools, and diagnostic equipment. Ability to read technical schematics and construction drawings.
  • Experience with cryogenic fluid and high vacuum systems is a bonus.
  • Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, and remain on your feet for extended periods.
  • Certifications: High school diploma or GED required. Trade school certification or a specific license (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing) is a major plus. Forklift and scissor lift operation will be required, previous certifications are desired.
  • Soft Skills: Strong communication skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment.

Company Benefits

  • Salary range $26/hour - $34/hour
  • 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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About the role

June 30, 2026

June 30, 2026

Full time

On-site

Company

USD 26–34 per hour

Hydrogen

Thea Energy

thea.energy

  •  Kearny, New Jersey, United States

3+ years

UTC-04:00