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.

Thermal Mechanical Analyst/Engineer - IFE Target Survival

Inertia

Inertia

IT
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 Thermal Mechanical Analyst/ Engineer to lead the analysis and tests of inertial fusion energy (IFE) target survival. The cryogenic targets will need to survive high speed launch into the high temperature, gas-filled power plant chamber. Determination of target material property performance metrics to allow target survival, and tests of materials to meet these metrics are a key role for the power plant.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Develop and conduct thermal and mechanical analyses of the target launch (injection) into the power plant chamber, providing metrics for IFE target materials for survival of the target.

  • Develop tests of target materials to demonstrate the material’s required performance.

  • Develop tests to validate thermal mechanical analysis models.

  • Assess test data.

  • Assist with other power plant thermal mechanical design projects including systems for filling and layering of cryogenic targets, blanket design, and thermal management of laser amplifiers and final optics.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • PhD or MS, or experience equivalent, in Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, or related field.

  • Demonstrated ability to model transient multi-physics phenomena including conduction, convection, thermal radiation, and impulse.

  • Experience with FEA and DSMC codes

  • Strong analytical data/measurement skills.

Preferred:

  • Experience with continuum, transition, and molecular flow heat transport modeling

  • Experience with phase change thermal and transport modeling

  • Experience with fusion, and cryogenic systems

  • Experience modeling deuterium tritium (DT) or other self-heating materials

  • Experience modelling systems of extreme geometric proportions

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.