Avalanche is a Seattle-based start-up developing compact fusion machines for clean, energy-dense power generation at a scale you can hold in your hands. Our unique approach allows us to build, test, break, learn and iterate in days. The modular design is designed to provide power to applications from austere environments to deep sea vehicles and maritime transport to lunar power.

We know we have an incredibly ambitious mission, and that it requires a wide combination of skills, attitude, and grit to make it happen. If you have a passion for abundant energy, and how we can improve life with it, we want to have a chat with you.

Avalanche might be fit for you if: You are self-motivated, energized by problem solving and working closely with hardware. You enjoy hands-on, creative collaboration with a small, tight-knit team you can work with, laugh with, and learn with on a wide variety of topics. You can learn and pivot between priorities when necessary and you can slide the headphones on, focus, and auger deep into a single topic as needed. You thrive in an atmosphere of development, and you are an ardent learner who’s always looking for ways to grow and improve.

About the Role

Avalanche Energy is seeking a Test Infrastructure Engineer to design, build, commission, and maintain infrastructure that makes our fusion experiments possible. This role sits between mechanical design, electrical systems, facilities, manufacturing, and test operations. You will turn experimental needs into fixtures, test stands, utility systems, equipment layouts, and reliable hardware that can be safely operated and quickly changed.

This is not a desk-only design role. You will own work from initial concept and requirements through CAD, drawings, procurement, fabrication, assembly, installation, checkout, documentation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Some designs will be built by outside vendors or other team members; many will be built or modified by you.

Responsibilities

Design, build, commission, modify, and maintain test cells, fixtures, tooling, equipment supports, utility systems, and experimental infrastructure

Translate experimental needs into practical requirements, concepts, layouts, CAD models, drawings, bills of material, and build plans

Perform hands-on fabrication and assembly using common shop tools and processes. Coordinate outside fabrication when appropriate

Design and integrate mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, water, gas, pneumatic, hydraulic, vacuum, and thermal-management systems

Own test infrastructure through its full lifecycle, including installation, checkout, documentation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and retirement

Develop safe, serviceable, and repeatable solutions with thoughtful access, routing, labeling, guarding, lifting, and human factors

Support fusion test cells from floor to ceiling, including equipment layouts, foundations and supports, utilities, cable and hose routing, work access, and facility interfaces

Work directly with engineers, scientists, technicians, and operators to prepare experiments and resolve problems during build and test campaigns

Participate directly in rapid design-build-test cycles, balancing speed with sound engineering judgment and workmanship

Create and maintain drawings, schematics, assembly instructions, operating procedures, maintenance records, and configuration documentation

Establish practical standards and reusable approaches for test infrastructure, tooling, utility distribution, and lab workmanship

Identify fragile setups, recurring failures, safety risks, and maintenance burdens, then design and implement durable improvements

Plan and coordinate equipment moves, installations, vendor work, and facility modifications associated with test infrastructure

Keep shared tools, spares, work areas, and infrastructure organized, functional, and ready for the next build or test

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience