Avalanche is a Seattle-based start-up developing fusion microreactors 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 on reactors in days to weeks. 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:

We are seeking a curious, tenacious Software Engineer for our Seattle facility to work with our simulation team on building, testing and developing software for our high performance computing simulations. This unique position is similar to an MLOps role, but applied to fusion simulations instead of machine learning. Our future Software Engineer is collaborative and enjoys working with teams, big and small. They are able to rapidly analyze and pivot between priorities as we design, build, test and troubleshoot simulations and the surrounding cloud infrastructure. You want to actively contribute to exploring ways to decarbonize the economy and you love how software can help make fusion a reality.

In this role, you will:

In partnership with fusion researchers, design and build cloud-based tools to enhance and manage distributed, scalable simulations.

Ensure reliable, consistent operation of simulation and data analysis infrastructure.

Assist in the analysis and interpretation of data and provide recommendations for upgrades, improvements and new tooling.

Act as team SME and admin, managing tools and infrastructure for our simulations.

Present routine findings verbally and in writing to team members.

Document cloud infrastructure architecture, configurations, and procedures.

Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to cloud infrastructure and applications and provide technical guidance and support to team members and stakeholders.

Work with external partners on projects.

Contribute to open source projects that support our mission.

Travel for conferences, supplier visits, meetings or company offsite events as required (

About you:

• BS in computer science, physics, electrical, computer engineering, or related field.
• 8-10 years experience in a similar role or related field
• Experience writing software in languages such as C#, Java, Python or C++.
• Experience working with Linux, AWS, Airtable, GitHub, Docker, Bash.
• Experience with High Performance Compute (HPC) infrastructure, experience with Slurm or similar is a plus.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Hardworking, enthusiastic attitude with a track record of overcoming challenges.
  
  

Bonus skills and experience:

• Experience in an MLOps role.
• M.S. in relevant field.
• Familiarity with fusion industry, experiments, or plasma devices.
• Basic understanding of some computational physics fundamentals.
• Experience with COMSOL, WarpX, GPU optimization.
• Experience with Particle-in-cell simulators, computational physics, NumPy, pandas, Matlab, NVIDIA Nsight Systems, GoLang, or ML is a plus.
• 1 or more years of experimental and/or computational research experience.
• Strong understanding of physics concepts and principles.
  
  

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
• Meaningful equity in the form of stock options
  
  

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.