Lead Fusion Controls Developer

The Lead Fusion Controls Developer will design, build, and own parts of the control systems and software that operate Realta's suite of fusion devices, post-processing, and simulation tools. This is a high-impact technical leadership role that influences the full controls stack, from operator interfaces and visualization tools to hardware integration, real-time data acquisition, and automation infrastructure. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in either front-end controls and human-machine interfaces or back-end controls and hardware integration, along with the curiosity and collaborative instinct to work fluidly across both. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with physicists, engineers, and technicians to commission and operate first-of-a-kind fusion experiments in a fast-moving environment.  This position may be focused on leading efforts in either back-end or front-end controls, or have elements of both.

Realta Fusion is a rapidly growing start-up developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to address the biggest challenge of our time – tackling global climate change while ensuring a sufficient energy supply for at least ten billion people on (and off) earth. We are building a team with diverse talents dedicated to making fusion energy a real solution to humanity’s most pressing problem.      

Key Responsibilities

Lead Developer

• Provide guidance to junior staff.
• Collaborate within controls team and closely with engineering and physics teams to define control system requirements and prioritize development efforts across active programs.
• Participate in design reviews, contributing a controls perspective on new hardware, diagnostics, and infrastructure proposals.
• Champion safe and reliable operation of experimental systems through rigorous controls design, clear alarming, and well-maintained interlock logic.

Front-End Controls and Operator Interfaces

• Design and develop operator interfaces, control panels, and visualization tools that give the experimental team clear, intuitive command of complex fusion systems.
• Build and maintain dashboards and display tools for real-time monitoring of plasma, magnet, vacuum, and power system parameters.
• Develop graphical and data-driven tools to support experimental operations, shot control workflows, and system diagnostics.
• Collaborate with physicists and device operators to translate experimental needs into clear, functional interface requirements.
• Integrate simulation and digital twin capabilities with live controls displays to support pre-shot planning and post-shot analysis.

Back-End Controls and Hardware Integration

• Develop and maintain control system software for integration with hardware including power supplies, magnet systems, diagnostics, and vacuum and gas handling equipment.
• Design and implement data acquisition pipelines, event-driven control logic, and real-time interlock systems.
• Build and maintain device drivers, PLC interfaces, and low-level hardware communication layers.
• Maintain and extend control system frameworks (EPICS, Tango Controls, LabVIEW, or equivalent) across the device fleet.
• Develop control system architectures that are robust, testable, and maintainable as the device program scales.
• Develop and maintain data archiving, logging, and query infrastructure for experimental shot data and system telemetry.
• Design and implement database-backed tools for trending, alarm history, and long-term performance monitoring of fusion device systems.

Cross-Cutting Responsibilities

• Contribute to commissioning activities for new devices and subsystems, including controls checkout, hardware testing, and operational readiness.
• Document control system architectures, software designs, and procedures to support operations, onboarding, and regulatory compliance.
• Support integration of control system data streams with higher-level analysis and visualization pipelines.

Qualifications

Required

• Advanced degree in physics, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related technical field, with at least seven (7) years practical experience developing controls to support plasma device operations beyond graduate school.
• Demonstrated experience developing control system software or human-machine interfaces for experimental, accelerator, or industrial systems.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following: EPICS, SCADA platforms, LabVIEW, or equivalent controls frameworks used in research or industrial environments.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or a similar language applied to controls, instrumentation, or data acquisition.
• Experience integrating software with real hardware, including communication with instrumentation over Ethernet, serial, or fieldbus protocols.
• Ability to work effectively across hardware and software domains, engaging meaningfully with both the physical systems and the code that controls them.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document designs and explain technical decisions to mixed audiences.
• Commitment to safe and disciplined operation of complex experimental systems.

Preferred

• PhD with a focus in Particle or Plasma Physics and at least ten (10) years combined working experience in academic and industrial or national laboratory setting
• Experience with EPICS, Channel Access, PV Access, or equivalent distributed control system frameworks, particularly in an accelerator, light source, or fusion context.
• Experience developing operator interfaces using Ignition, CSS/Phoebus, PyDM, EDM, or similar HMI tools.
• Familiarity with real-time control systems, hardware interlock design, PLC programming, and/or fielding and programming microcontrollers, FPGAs and GPUs.
• Experience in a national laboratory, particle accelerator, or plasma physics or fusion environment.
• Familiarity with digital twin development or the integration of physics simulations with live control systems.
• Experience working in a startup or other fast-moving, resource-constrained environment with rapidly evolving requirements.

Applicants who do not meet the entire job specification are encouraged to apply.

Compensation and benefits

What we are working on is hard… and hugely important. Realta Fusion is assembling a talented team bound together by a passion to solve humanity’s biggest challenge with first-of-a-kind technology. Additionally, Realta offers:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity stock options
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)
• Flexible paid time off (PTO) to support work-life balance
• Work and live in Madison, Wisconsin — one of America’s most livable and vibrant cities; hybrid work options may be available for this position, but a weekly on-site presence will be required

We value diversity as a critical factor in innovation and believe a diverse team is necessary to solve the toughest problems. We aim to create an inclusive environment that unleashes the full creativity of our team members from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.