Plasma Control Scientist

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Plasma Control Scientist to join our Magnetic Fusion Energy division. This position is located in San Diego, CA (Torrey Pines).

The Plasma Control Operations (PCO) group has several major focuses around Plasma Control and Operations, and is looking for a new team member who can integrate well and support our dynamic business base of contract work, DOE funded science grants, and internal R&D.

The new team member would be expected to grow in their knowledge of existing tools and support multiple projects. In the near term, projects would focus on research on the avoidance and control of disruptive transients in Tokamaks, reduced model development for real-time control, uncertainty quantification in critical control systems for tokamaks (both traditional and ML-based), and tokamak vertical and equilibrium control evaluation. Opportunities for DIII-D Physics Operations is also possible for interested and capable candidates. The new team member would be expected to grow and learn our internal tools for these applications as well as expand our toolset with their own skillset or new methods in the field.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Learn and develop new tools, including programming and/or control design.
• Keep up with the latest science and engineering developments, methods, and techniques in the field.
• Collaborate professionally with the team as well as international collaborators.
• Learn and apply both physics-based and ML methods for real-time control.
• Perform self-directed research while working in a team towards common scientific and engineering goals.
• Willingness to program and use Matlab, Simulink, and in C (for the Plasma Control System).
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in a scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; six or more years experience with a Bachelors degree, four or more years experience with a Masters degree, and two or more with a PhD. Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Preferred: PhD in a relevant science or engineering field: Control Science, Machine Learning and Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, etc.
• Preferred: 6+ years of experience (may include graduate school research) in a related topic
  • Experience in control, ML, tokamak physics operations are of highest value
• Public speaking and communication skills demonstrated with paper publications and conference presentations, or similar achievements
• Some programming experience (in any language)
• Ability to work in a team, interact with customers, and collaborate with international partners professionally
  • Experience in participating in scientific experimental research with a team is of highest value
• Must be able to travel up to 25% including international travel.