Test Infrastructure Engineer

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

• Strong mechanical design skills, including 3D CAD, detailed drawings, tolerancing, material selection, and design for fabrication and assembly

• Demonstrated hands-on experience building, installing, commissioning, maintaining, or repairing equipment you designed

• Experience designing fixtures, tooling, test stands, prototype equipment, or industrial machinery

• Working knowledge of electrical systems, instrumentation, sensors, controls, and basic electrical troubleshooting

• Experience integrating fluid, pneumatic, vacuum, thermal, or other facility-supported systems

• Ability to safely use common hand tools, power tools, measurement equipment, and shop equipment

• Ability to take ambiguous needs from concept through working hardware with limited oversight

• Strong ownership, practical judgment, communication skills, and attention to detail in a fast-moving R&D environment

• Three or more years of experience in tooling, test, manufacturing, or R&D engineering

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks or a comparable mechanical CAD and drawing system

• Experience designing welded structures, machined parts, sheet-metal assemblies, guards, platforms, or equipment frames

• Experience designing or building radiation shielding systems

• Familiarity with vacuum or ultra-high-vacuum systems and vacuum-compatible design practices

• Experience with chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, cryogenic systems, gas handling, or process plumbing

• Experience working around high-voltage, high-current, stored-energy, radiation, or other hazardous-energy systems

• Experience with PLCs, automation, machine safety, interlocks, data acquisition, or control panels

• Experience with rigging, lifting fixtures, equipment installation, and industrial safety practices

• Experience managing vendors, fabrication quotes, procurement, schedules, and installation work

• Prior work in fast-paced, hardware-driven R&D, aerospace, energy, or advanced manufacturing environments

Additional Considerations

Location: Onsite to support hands-on design, fabrication, installation, testing, and close integration with mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, facilities, and experimental teams

Site: Tukwila, Washington and Richland, Washington

Travel: Occasional travel for vendor visits, equipment procurement, integration, or collaboration as needed

Benefits:

• Excellent medical, dental and vision benefits: We pay 100% of your premiums

• 10 paid holidays and company-wide December holiday break

• Generous paid vacation and sick time

• Small, tight-knit team with low barriers to action

• Exposure to a wide variety of problems for unparalleled, hands-on professional growth

• Weekly employer provided team meals, a well-stocked kitchen, and employee events on and off-site

• Opportunity for Equity

Avalanche values people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, and sexual orientations. We also acknowledge the value that different life experiences bring to our organization. Avalanche is an equal opportunity employer, and you do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. We encourage all individuals who are excited about delivering fusion energy to the world to apply.