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.

Under general supervision with limited review, this position is responsible for determining and developing effective approaches for resolving a wide range of difficult scientific and engineering problems related to fusion digital twin development. Assignments are normally outlined in terms of overall objectives and anticipated results. Work is reviewed at milestones or at completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. The Scientist III will document findings, communicate results to scientific and engineering staff, and make technical presentations as required. The position may coordinate segments of a specific project and may have frequent inter-organization and customer contact on difficult technical issues. The Scientist III provides technical direction to designers or technical staff and may provide direction to less experienced professional staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support development of a fusion digital twin, integrating physics-based models with data-driven/AI components.
• Apply plasma physics expertise to interpret tokamak operational data and translate experimental goals into modeling, control, and software requirements.
• Support tokamak operations and collaborate with experimental teams to ensure digital twin capabilities align with practical plasma operations and constraints.
• Develop, validate, and deploy plasma simulation workflows (e.g., transport, equilibrium reconstruction, stability, and scenario modeling) relevant to digital twin objectives.
• Contribute to plasma control development through modeling, system identification, control-oriented reduced models, and integration with control toolchains.
• Implement AI/ML methods for surrogate modeling, prediction, uncertainty quantification, and model adaptation using modern frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX).
• Design and maintain robust scientific software, including version control, testing, CI/CD, documentation, and performance optimization for HPC and real-time workflows.
• Troubleshoot, analyze, and resolve issues in scientific computing systems and workflows using standard scientific principles and modern software engineering practices.
• Prepare technical documentation, publications, and presentations; contribute to proposals and reporting for new or expanded business opportunities.
• Direct and mentor designers, technicians, and/or less experienced professional staff on assigned technical tasks.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company. Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

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 scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; four or more years experience with a Bachelors degree and two or more years experience with a Masters degree. Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Prefer degrees in physics, plasma physics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science, or related technical field
• Must have -
  • Strong plasma physics expertise and working knowledge of tokamak physics.
  • Experience with tokamak operations and practical knowledge of plasma operations (e.g., scenario development, shot planning, or operational constraints).
  • Experience with plasma simulation and control development tools and workflows.
  • Knowledge of AI/ML techniques and tooling, including experience with modern frameworks such as PyTorch and/or JAX.
  • Solid software engineering skills, including collaborative development (Git), code review, unit/integration testing, and documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience integrating physics-based models with real-time or near-real-time workflows for experimental support.
• Experience with HPC environments (GPU/CPU), distributed computing, and performance optimization for scientific applications.
• Familiarity with tokamak data systems, diagnostic data processing, and common fusion data formats/standards.
• Demonstrated publication record in plasma physics, fusion science, control, or applied AI/ML.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists/engineers and coordinating work packages in a multi-disciplinary team

Skills and Abilities:

• Complete understanding of relevant scientific concepts, principles, and theory with the ability to expand knowledge into related technical specialties.
• Ability to quickly understand new concepts and apply them accurately in an evolving environment.
• Strong analytical skills for diagnosing complex scientific computing and modeling issues.
• Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases and determine appropriate approaches at the task and project level.
• Strong communication, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to lead technical efforts and contribute effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Original work(s) published in professional scientific journals or formal technical equivalents are highly desirable.