Director - Control, Instrumentation, and Diagnostics (CID) Systems
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Before you apply
Salary$185k – $280k
LocationKearny, NJ
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityDirector
Experience10+ yrs
DepartmentTechnology, Electrical and Control Systems Engineering
EquityIncluded
Company size201–500 people
PostedMar 5, 2026 · 8mo ago
Verified live23h ago
May no longer be actively hiring
Posted by the company on Mar 5, 202644% of this company's open roles have been listed for 90+ days
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Computer Science, Physics, or equivalent
10 or more years of relevant experience spanning two or more of: integrated control systems, industrial automation, fast data acquisition, instrumentation systems engineering, diagnostics acquisition, real time embedded software
5 or more years of engineering management experience leading multi team organizations, including hiring and performance leadership
Demonstrated experience owning complex system development from architecture through prototype validation and integration
Strong foundation in safety and high reliability engineering practices, including interlocks, alarms, fail safe design, and disciplined documentation
Strong cross functional communication skills and experience driving technical decisions across physics, mechanical, electrical, safety, and program teams
Exceptional work ethic and communication skills
Experience delivering CID systems for fusion devices, accelerators, advanced nuclear, or other large scientific facilities with tight timing and data fidelity requirements
Experience with EPICS or TANGO, and industrial integration protocols such as OPC UA, DDS, Modbus, and deterministic timing networks
Experience with functional safety workflows and standards driven PLC systems engineering
Experience with FPGA based acquisition and low latency streaming pipelines for real time feedback and machine protection
Familiarity integrating AI and digital twin capabilities into supervisory control and operations workflows
Control frameworks and integration: LabView, EPICS, TANGO, OPC UA, DDS, Modbus, TCP IP
PLC platforms: Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCAT, Allen Bradley, Codesys, IEC 61131 3 practices
Timing and synchronization: White Rabbit, IEEE 1588 PTP
Data acquisition and diagnostics: PXIe digitizers, FPGA platforms, event and timestamping frameworks, data streaming infrastructure
Embedded and middleware software: real time embedded Linux and real time operating systems, C and C++, distributed orchestration tooling
Instrumentation design and documentation: AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, tag databases, input and output lists, cable schedules and loop diagrams
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics
Skills
EPICS
TANGO
OPC UA
DDS
Modbus
LabView
TCP IP
Siemens TIA Portal
Beckhoff TwinCAT
Allen Bradley
Codesys
IEC 61131 3
White Rabbit
IEEE 1588 PTP
PXIe
FPGA
real time embedded Linux
real time operating systems
C
C++
AutoCAD Electrical
EPLAN
Benefits
Health insurance
Stock options
PTO
About Thea Energy:
Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.
Position Overview:
Thea Energy is seeking a Director - Control, Instrumentation, and Diagnostics (CID) Systems to lead the control and data systems for the Company’s Eos integrated stellarator. This leader will build and manage a team spanning control systems, instrumentation, diagnostics acquisition, embedded software, and real-time integration. The Director will own the Eos CID architecture end to end and partner closely with systems engineering, physics, safety, and program teams. This role has a high degree of autonomy and must be able to move quickly.
Key Responsibility Areas:
•
Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary organization spanning control systems, instrumentation, diagnostics acquisition, embedded software, and real time integration, including hiring, performance management, career development, and team structure.
•
Establish engineering operating rhythm: planning, prioritization, technical reviews, staffing plans, and decision-making processes.
•
Set technical direction and ensure consistent engineering quality across requirements, architecture, implementation, verification, and documentation.
•
Own the Eos CID architecture, including functional, physical, communications, timing, and data flow boundaries across fast DAQ, supervisory control, PLC automation, safety interlocks, and diagnostics acquisition.
•
Lead technology selection for real time control, SCADA, networking, timing, and data management, and ensure consistency across integration protocols and data interfaces.
•
Own the technical interface to external vendors and collaborators providing controls hardware, diagnostics hardware, and instrumentation deliverables, including technical specifications, design reviews, and acceptance participation.
•
Oversee development and integration of the Eos control system across major subsystems, ensuring deterministic behavior, fault handling, and operational sequencing.
•
Own Safety and Interlock System philosophy, including safety class logic where required, participation in hazard analyses, and alignment to functional safety practices and standards.
•
Own instrumentation architecture across the facility: sensor selection, signal types, isolation strategy, signal conditioning, grounding, shielding, and segregation practices for noisy, high power environments.
•
Oversee diagnostic acquisition architecture end to end, from front end sensors and conditioning through digitizers, FPGA processing, data streaming, and archiving in support of plasma operations and feedback control.
•
Partner with systems engineering to translate device requirements into CID requirements, interface definitions, and verification plans.
•
Run evidence based technical gates and design reviews, with clear entry and exit criteria and configuration control.
•
Own delivery artifacts such as requirements, interface control documents, design packages, test plans, and acceptance evidence to support procurement, installation, and commissioning.
•
Maintain a strong safety culture including machine protection thinking, hazard analysis inputs, and design choices that support safe installation and operations.
•
Provide hands on leadership in lab and field environments, coordinating with technicians and test teams for build, wiring, installation support, and debug.
Ideal Experience & Skillsets:
•
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Computer Science, Physics, or equivalent.
•
10 or more years of relevant experience spanning two or more of the following: integrated control systems, industrial automation, fast data acquisition, instrumentation systems engineering, diagnostics acquisition, real time embedded software.
•
5 or more years of engineering management experience leading multi team organizations, including hiring and performance leadership.
•
Demonstrated experience owning complex system development from architecture through prototype validation and integration.
•
Strong foundation in safety and high reliability engineering practices, including interlocks, alarms, fail safe design, and disciplined documentation.
•
Strong cross functional communication skills and experience driving technical decisions across physics, mechanical, electrical, safety, and program teams.
•
Exceptional work ethic and communication skills.
•
Experience delivering CID systems for fusion devices, accelerators, advanced nuclear, or other large scientific facilities with tight timing and data fidelity requirements.
•
Experience with EPICS or TANGO, and industrial integration protocols such as OPC UA, DDS, Modbus, and deterministic timing networks.
•
Experience with functional safety workflows and standards driven PLC systems engineering.
•
Experience with FPGA based acquisition and low latency streaming pipelines for real time feedback and machine protection.
•
Familiarity integrating AI and digital twin capabilities into supervisory control and operations workflows.
•
Control frameworks and integration: LabView, EPICS, TANGO, OPC UA, DDS, Modbus, TCP IP.
•
PLC platforms: Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCAT, Allen Bradley, Codesys, IEC 61131 3 practices.
•
Timing and synchronization: White Rabbit, IEEE 1588 PTP.
•
Data acquisition and diagnostics: PXIe digitizers, FPGA platforms, event and timestamping frameworks, data streaming infrastructure.
•
Embedded and middleware software: real time embedded Linux and real time operating systems, C and C++, distributed orchestration tooling.
•
Instrumentation design and documentation: AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, tag databases, input and output lists, cable schedules and loop diagrams.
Requirements:
•
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
•
Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
•
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call.
•
Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.
Company Benefits:
•
Salary range: $185,000-$280,000
•
Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
•
Employee equity stock options
•
20 days PTO
It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.