Manufacturing Engineer II
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.
Thea Energy is seeking an experienced, highly motivated manufacturing engineer to join its rapidly growing team. The Manufacturing Engineering role will develop and implement processes, tooling, and equipment necessary to manufacture and test high temperature superconducting ("HTS") magnets. This role will also help establish the foundations of Process Engineering and Quality Engineering at Thea Energy as we build and commission a magnet manufacturing and test facility. HTS magnets are foundational components of Thea Energy's planar coil stellarator, making compact, simpler, and lower-cost fusion systems possible. As part of a rapidly growing team, you'll be part of the organizational build-up of a leading fusion energy company. The Thea Energy team is comprised of self-motivated, creative, and fun individuals with an excitement for solving complex problems.
Key Responsibility Areas
- Generate documentation for the manufacture of HTS magnets, including processes and procedures, work instructions, and quality criteria
- Design, build, and commission magnet manufacturing tooling and equipment
- Work iteratively with magnet engineers to incorporate design for manufacture and lessons learned
- Develop and implement virtual and physical inventory management and manufacturing BOMs
- Generate specifications for and collaborate with vendors to procure hardware that meets quality specifications
- Define roles for and coordinate onboarding of manufacturing technicians
- Track and report results and progress against program goals and milestones
- Communicate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
Required Experience & Skillsets
- 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with a related degree
- Experience with first encounters of complex electrical and mechanical hardware assemblies, as well as process development including tooling, fixtures, machines, and automation
- Experience with metal fusion processes, including soldering, brazing, and welding
- Experience scaling from first-of-a-kind to continuous production
- Experience generating and interpreting manufacturing drawings, particularly GD&T
- Experience with planning and execution software including PLM, MRP, and inventory management
- Ability to work through and solve highly multidisciplinary engineering problems
- Ability to take initiative, work independently and as part of a team
- Exceptional work ethic, with clear communication and collaboration skills
- Experience with magnetic confinement fusion, aerospace, medical devices, or other advanced manufacturing processes
- Ability to occasionally lift objects up to 50 lbs
Company Benefits
- Compensation: $105,000 - $130,000
- 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.
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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Job expired?Please let Thea Energy know you found this job on Rejobs. It helps us grow and get more people working in renewable energy.
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About the role
June 30, 2026
June 30, 2026
Full time
On-site
Company
USD 105k–130k yearly
- Kearny, New Jersey, United States
5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
UTC-04:00