Senior HTS Magnet Engineer
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.
Contact
Last updated on 2025-12-27 | 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 experienced, highly motivated magnet engineers to join its rapidly growing team. The magnet engineering roles will design, build, and test high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets. 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. These roles 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
- Rapidly design, build, and test HTS magnets
- Develop specifications for magnets based on system design and performance goals
- Optimize magnet design and run analysis using Multiphysics simulation software (e.g. Ansys EM, Structure, COMSOL, etc.)
- Develop design tools, data analysis software, and algorithms using Python or similar
- Incorporate design for manufacturing principles and support first builds
- Produce design specifications and collaborate with vendors to get quotes and deliver hardware that meets qualifications
- Support the implementation of tooling and manufacturing
- Design and execute magnet testing
- Track and report results and progress against program goals and milestones
- Communicate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
Ideal Experience & Skillsets
- Experience with magnets, cryogenics, vacuum systems, or transformer design
- Experience in design using CAD software (e.g. Solidworks, CATIA, NX, etc.)
- Experience with Ansys and/or COMSOL
- Experience specifying machining, welding, and fabrication requirements
- Ability to work through and solve highly multidisciplinary engineering problems
- Ability to take initiative, work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to execute and flourish in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
- Comfortable working to aggressive deadlines
- Exceptional work ethic
- Strong team member with clear communication and collaboration skills
- Innate desire to learn, innovate, and critique ideas including one’s own
- At least a bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or related fields
- Experience with magnetic confinement fusion, aerospace, medical devices, or other highly technical industries is ideal
Company Benefits
- Salary range $110,000-$180,000
- Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
- Employee equity stock options
- 20 days PTO
- Work-life balance
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About the role
August 19, 2025
Full Time
Company
January 9, 2026
On-site
USD 110k–180k yearly
- Kearny, New Jersey, United States
Bachelor's degree required; experience in relevant fields preferred.
UTC-04:00
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