Calling the bold.

Calling the bold.

Uncork-backed companies are hiring explorers, builders, and operators ready to help chart new territory.

Uncork-backed companies are hiring explorers, builders, and operators ready to help chart new territory.

CVD Coating Expert - Thick Films on Spheres

Inertia

Inertia

Livermore, CA, USA
Posted on Jan 6, 2026

Location

Livermore

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

On-site

Department

Design and Engineering

Overview:

We are seeking a Diamond Coating Expert to lead development of thick-film high density carbon coatings on spherical substrates for next-generation fusion targets. This role will pioneer advanced CVD deposition techniques on curved geometries, including W doped diamond to enable large-scale manufacturing of precision fusion capsules.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Develop and optimize coating processes for spherical substrates that can scale from laboratory prototypes to high-throughput production systems

  • Investigate doping strategies (e.g., W-doped diamond)

  • Work with partners and vendors to develop these processes, and with Inertia’s mass-manufacturing scale-up production team

  • Validate coating uniformity and quality and document experimental results, methods, and scale-up pathways

Qualifications:

Required:

  • PhD or MS in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.

  • Experience with CVD (hot filament, plasma enhanced, or fluidized bed) or thick-film coating systems.

  • Strong analytical and diagnostic skills (SEM, X-ray tomography, etc.).

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated ability to work with spherical or complex 3D substrates.

  • Background in fusion target manufacturing or high-precision coatings.

  • Familiarity with process scale-up or industrial coating systems.

Salary & Benefits:

We offer an excellent benefits program, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, company-paid holidays, matching 401k, and more!

About Inertia:

Inertia is taking the most direct, scientifically-proven path to commercializing fusion, leveraging the only successful achievement of fusion ignition, using a process that was pioneered at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). With groundbreaking innovation, transformative technology, and multi-year investment, Inertia is committed to commercializing fusion energy in the next decade.