Nuclear fusion represents the ultimate clean energy solution. We are reviving a promising 1980s magnetic confinement reactor architecture, with a unique plasma stabilization mechanism. Modern technology resolves the historical power limitations of the concept, enabling stable, steady-state confinement and paving the way for scalable fusion power.
We’re looking for a technical co-founder to the venture. This role presents an extraordinary opportunity to translate core scientific objectives into robust, operable, and scalable fusion hardware, while steering a high-impact commercial venture onto the global stage. The aim is to spin the company out of DSV over the coming months.
Requirements
As Chief Technology Officer, you will lead the technology and engineering roadmap, own the overall system architecture and subsystem integration. You will lead the translation of scientific requirements into safe, operable and progressively more capable fusion systems, from experimental machines toward a neutron source and eventual power plant.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the technology and engineering roadmap.
- Own the architecture and integration of the experimental platform and supporting systems.
- Translate scientific objectives into engineering requirements, specifications and test plans.
- Lead the design, construction, commissioning and operation of experimental hardware.
- Direct the progression from research platform to neutron-source and reactor systems.
- Lead integrated reactor engineering and design optimization within the scientific envelope defined by the CSO.
Ownership & Accountability:
- Own the system architecture, engineering integrity and demonstrated performance of the company’s integrated technology systems.
- Define engineering requirements, interfaces, operating envelopes and acceptance criteria.
- Own integration across relevant subsystems, including magnets, heating, vacuum, power, thermal management, structures, diagnostics, controls and data acquisition.
- Lead engineering trade-offs across performance, safety, reliability, cost, schedule, maintainability and scalability.
- Own design reviews, configuration management, engineering change control and technical decision records.
- Direct procurement, supplier selection, fabrication, assembly, installation and commissioning.
- Establish procedures for commissioning, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and system modification.
- Own operational readiness, machine protection, engineering safety and facility reliability.
- Establish a rigorous test, failure-investigation and corrective-action culture that converts technical setbacks into verified design improvements.
- Build and lead a lean engineering capability spanning internal contributors, contractors, suppliers and partners, while retaining system-level accountability.
- Jointly with the CSO, provide technical sign-off on experimental configurations, major development milestones and decisions at the science/engineering interface.
- Maintain an accurate, decision-ready view of engineering progress, cost, schedule, dependencies and technical risks for the CEO and founding team.
- Support external communications, fundraising, grant applications and technical due diligence when engineering expertise is required.
Experience
- Demonstrated end-to-end leadership in the design, integration, commissioning or operation of a complex first-of-a-kind physical system, with direct responsibility for multidisciplinary interfaces and technical performance.
- Experience with a fusion device, plasma experiment, accelerator, neutron source or comparably complex scientific or industrial facility.
- Deep expertise in at least one relevant engineering domain such as magnet systems, RF or microwave heating, high vacuum, high-power electrical systems, cryogenics, controls or thermal management; combined with sufficient breadth to lead integration across the wider system.
- Strong systems-engineering capability across requirements, architecture, interfaces, verification, configuration control and staged technology maturation.
- Track record of resolving multidisciplinary integration failures under real cost and schedule constraints.
- Experience designing for safe operation, reliability and maintainability in complex experimental or first-of-a-kind systems.
- Demonstrated ability to incorporate safety and regulatory requirements into system architecture and engineering decisions from an early stage.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary engineers, technicians, suppliers and specialist contractors.
- Ability to translate evolving scientific requirements into practical, testable and adaptable engineering solutions.
- Ability to communicate engineering decisions, risks and trade-offs clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Mindset
As CTO, you are a hands-on, founder-oriented builder who combines intellectual directness with a systems-level, evidence-led approach to engineering. You approach first-of-a-kind technical challenges with resourcefulness, capital efficiency, and a relentless focus on delivery, safety, and commercial scalability. You turn a complex architecture into functioning hardware while fostering a transparent, resilient, and collaborative culture.
Benefits
As a co-founder, you will join on the ground floor with complete agency and full autonomy. You will have full responsibility to shape the culture, strategy, and execution from day one, influencing the company's overall direction and long-term success.
The founding team will collectively hold a majority equity stake in the company. Salary is negotiated as part of the spin-out process, and post-launch, DSV provides continuous portfolio support across fundraising, partnerships, and recruitment.
About DSV
Deep Science Ventures (DSV) is on a mission to create a future in which both humans and the planet can thrive. We use our unique venture creation process to create, spin-out, and invest in science companies, combining available scientific knowledge and founder-type scientists into high-impact ventures. Operating in four sectors - Pharmaceuticals, Climate, Agriculture, and Computation - we tackle the challenges defining these areas by taking a first principles approach and partnering with leading institutions.