Job Details

Stealth Communications is seeking multiple Advanced Plasma & Magnetoplasmadynamic Engineers to drive innovation in high-power plasma propulsion systems, including Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters, Pulsed Plasma Engines (PPE) and fusion-based plasma confinement and energy applications.

In this role, you will lead the design, modeling and optimization of next-generation plasma technologies, pushing the boundaries of propulsion, directed energy systems and advanced defense applications.

We are looking for experts in ionized gas dynamics, high-energy magnetoplasma interactions and electromagnetic propulsion technologies who are ready to tackle the challenges of deep-space propulsion and high-power plasma applications.

If you have a strong background in plasma physics, pulsed plasma generation, and high-power electromagnetic field control, we invite you to join our advanced R&D team!

This position is based onsite in Honolulu, HI. Security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize plasma thrusters, including Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, Pulsed Plasma Engines, Hall-effect thrusters, and VASIMR propulsion systems.
• Develop numerical plasma models using Particle-in-cell, fluid-kinetic hybrid, and MHD simulations to analyze plasma instabilities, charge transport, and turbulence effects.
• Conduct high-power electromagnetic field simulations, optimizing Lorentz-force acceleration, plasma sheath interactions and charge transport dynamics.
• Engineer pulsed and steady state plasma generation systems including: inductive, capacitive, and electrostatic plasma accelerators for propulsion and energy conversion.
• Develop and integrate Pulsed Plasma Engine technology, focusing on electrode erosion mitigation, impulse-bit optimization, and pulse shaping for thrust efficiency.
• Implement machine learning algorithms for real-time instability detection, plasma flow control, and adaptive electromagnetic field optimization.
• Collaborate with internal & external partners to advance classified plasma propulsion and energy research.
• Lead experimental campaigns in high-energy plasma labs, designing and executing tests for plasma confinement stability, ionization efficiency, and charge transport modeling.
• Contribute to the development of advanced fusion plasma confinement systems, including magnetic field topology optimization and turbulence suppression techniques.
• Author technical reports, white papers, and classified research documents on plasma acceleration, high-energy ion beam transport, and electromagnetic propulsion advancements.

Qualifications

• Must possess an active, transferable TS/SCI CI Poly U.S. government-issued security clearance before applying
• Ph.D. in Plasma Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on electromagnetic propulsion and plasma interactions.
• At least 10+years of experience in plasma physics, ionized gas dynamics, or high-energy MHD systems.
• Expertise in Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, Pulsed Plasma Engines, Hall thrusters, and fusion plasma applications.
• Proficiency in electromagnetic wave-particle interactions, including plasma wave dispersion, cyclotron resonance heating, and plasma instabilities.
• Strong experience with Particle-in-cell, fluid-kinetic hybrid, and full-wave MHD codes, including, but not limited to: XOOPIC, LSP, Gkeyll, Starfish, OpenFOAM, USim, or COMSOL Multiphysics.
• Knowledge of electrode physics, sheath formation, and secondary electron emission effects in high-power plasma thrusters.
• Experience designing high-power magnetic field configurations, including pulsed plasma confinement, plasma mirrors, and toroidal field optimization.
• Hands-on experience with plasma diagnostics, such as Langmuir probes, laser-induced fluorescence, Thomson scattering, interferometry, and spectroscopy-based plasma measurements.
• Expertise in high-voltage pulsed power systems, including capacitive discharge, inductive coupling, and radio-frequency plasma heating methods.
• Experience in electrostatic and magnetostatic confinement techniques, including mirror-based magnetic fields, cusp geometries, and quadrupole plasma stabilization.
• Strong background in relativistic plasma dynamics, including beam-plasma interactions, space-charge effects, and anomalous transport mechanisms.
• Experience integrating machine learning models for plasma behavior prediction, anomaly detection, and real-time system control.
• Deep understanding of charge exchange processes, ion-neutral collisions, and plasma recombination mechanisms in high-energy plasma flows.
• Familiarity with pulsed plasma accelerator technologies, including coaxial plasma guns, theta-pinch devices, and magnetically insulated transmission lines.
• Experience working on field-reversed configurations and magnetized target fusion concepts for plasma confinement and energy conversion applications.
• Proficiency in radiation transport modeling, including Bremsstrahlung emission, synchrotron radiation, and plasma opacity calculations for high-energy-density plasma environments.
• Experience designing compact plasma-based energy conversion systems, such as thermionic converters, plasma MHD generators, and pulsed inductive thrusters.

Starting annual salary: $400,000 + Sign on Bonus: $400,000 + Relocation Costs.