Head of Systems Engineering

Head of Systems Engineering Madison, WI

Own the system-level vision that turns first-of-a-kind fusion hardware into a cohesive, scalable reality—leading the integration of breakthrough science and engineering on the path to commercial fusion energy.

The Head of Systems Engineering will lead the systems engineering function at Realta Fusion, establishing technical requirements, driving system integration, and ensuring our magnetic mirror fusion devices meet performance, safety, and operational objectives . This senior technical leadership role demands expertise in complex system architecture, requirements management, and integration of multidisciplinary subsystems. You will bridge plasma physics, mechanical, electrical, nuclear, and controls engineering teams to ensure coherent system design and successful execution from experimental devices through commercial deployment. The ideal candidate combines deep systems engineering expertise with strategic leadership, thriving in a first-of-a-kind hardware environment where disciplined systems thinking directly impacts our ability to deliver commercial fusion energy.

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

Systems Architecture & Requirements

Define and maintain system architecture for fusion devices across experimental, pilot, and commercial product lines

Establish and manage technical requirements from physics performance through operational, safety, and regulatory constraints

Lead system decomposition and allocation of requirements to subsystems and components

Develop and maintain interface control documents across mechanical, electrical, plasma, and control systems

Drive design trades balancing performance, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and risk

Integration & Verification

Lead system integration activities ensuring subsystems work together to meet top-level requirements

Define verification and validation strategy including analysis, testing, inspection, and demonstration

Oversee commissioning and acceptance testing of fusion devices and major subsystems

Manage technical reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) ensuring design maturity and readiness

Drive resolution of integration issues and interface conflicts across engineering disciplines

Team Leadership & Development

Build, lead, and mentor systems engineering team (initially 2-3, scaling to 8-12)

Establish systems engineering processes, tools, and best practices for fusion development

Recruit systems engineers with experience in complex hardware integration

Develop systems engineering capability across the broader engineering organization

Cross-Functional Technical Leadership

Partner with plasma physics to translate physics requirements into engineering specifications

Work with mechanical, electrical, nuclear, and controls leads to ensure integrated system design

Coordinate with operations on maintainability, operability, and lifetime performance requirements

Support manufacturing and assembly planning to ensure buildability and integration sequence

Program Support & Risk Management

Provide systems engineering support to experimental campaigns and pilot plant development programs

Lead technical risk assessment and develop mitigation strategies for system-level risks

Support project management with integrated schedules, technical dependencies, and critical path analysis

Represent systems engineering perspective in executive decision-making on technical priorities and resource allocation

External Engagement

Represent systems engineering capabilities to investors, partners, and technical stakeholders

Collaborate with national laboratories and research institutions on systems engineering best practices for fusion

Engage with regulatory agencies on system safety analysis and compliance strategies

Qualifications

Education & Experience

BS in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline. Advanced degree preferred

15+ years systems engineering experience in complex hardware programs (aerospace, defense, energy, accelerators, research facilities)

5+ years leading systems engineering teams or serving as chief engineer on major programs

Demonstrated track record integrating multidisciplinary systems from requirements through commissioning

Technical Expertise

Deep expertise in systems engineering processes including requirements management, functional analysis, interface management, and V&V

Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical and control systems to facilitate integration across disciplines

Proficiency with systems engineering tools (DOORS, Cameo, modeling and simulation)

Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches

Knowledge of systems safety analysis (FMEA, fault trees, hazard analysis)

Familiarity with technical reviews, configuration management, and engineering change processes

Leadership & Execution

Proven ability to lead technical teams and influence across organizational boundaries

Strong analytical and problem solving skills with systems-level thinking

Excellent communicatio