Materials Scientist or Engineer - Precision Sphere Production
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 Materials Scientist to lead the development of mass production of several mm sized precision silicon spheres for next-generation fusion targets. This role will pioneer advanced precision techniques for mass production of precision fusion capsules on machines to enable large-scale manufacturing on the scale of a 10 Hz manufacturing rate.
Primary Responsibilities:
Develop equipment and processes for grinding, polishing, lapping spheres or alternative techniques.
Develop/oversee creating low cost feed stock for sphere production with single crystal silicon.
Implement precision metrology appropriate for mass production of spheres.
Assist with polishing of diamond overcoated spheres.
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Investigate other related materials issues needed in the production of targets at mass scale.
Qualifications:
Required:
PhD or MS, or experience equivalent, in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
Experience with ceramics or other brittle materials.
Strong analytical measurement skills.
Preferred:
Demonstrated ability to work with mass production machines or processes.
Experience polishing to a high degree of smoothness.
Experience with sphere or ball manufacturing.
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Familiarity with process scale-up or industrial mass production.
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.