Systems Engineer
Astera InstituteCalifornia, United States
Posted October 21, 2025
Full Time
About the Company
Astera Institute is dedicated to driving significant positive impact through entrepreneurial innovation. The company incubates high-leverage ideas in their early stages, focusing on overlooked areas and investing in founders who can create systemic change. Astera's approach emphasizes efficiency and scalability, aiming to generate a cascading effect of good.
Job Description
Astera is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead the 1cFE Initiative, focused on achieving sub-0.01/kWh LCOE from fusion within 10 years. This ambitious project leverages substantial compute resources and AI tools to benchmark the viability of fusion technology. The role involves building and validating TEA models, quantifying cost drivers, and optimizing plant configurations. This initiative tackles the problem of fusion - a potentially groundbreaking technology that has the potential to change the course of civilization.
Requirements
- Degree in systems, mechanical, nuclear, or electrical engineering
- Track record building decision-grade TEA models for complex systems
- Python fluency and testing discipline
- Ability to translate physics outputs into cost drivers and plant architecture choices
- Independent thought and willingness to question assumptions
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Opportunity to work on a high-impact initiative
- Access to advanced compute resources
