If you are searching for the best new ideas and share our vision, join us as a Fusion Engineering (Hydrogen-Material Interactions) Summer Intern. This is what you need to know:
Location: Knoxville, TN
Salary: $25-$35/hour, 40 hours per week
Contract: 12-week internship, Summer 2027 (May 24th start date)
Reporting to: Sr. Director Nuclear & Fuel Cycle Engineering
Your role in the mission:
Type One Energy is looking for a motivated Fusion Engineering Summer Intern to support experimental research and development within our Fuel Cycle and Ceramic Breeder teams.
The intern will help investigate how hydrogen and its isotopes interact with materials relevant to fusion energy systems, with particular emphasis on the use of hydrogen and deuterium as non-radioactive surrogates for tritium. This work will contribute to our understanding of hydrogen transport, retention, and release in candidate materials for fusion fuel-cycle and ceramic breeder applications.
Working alongside experienced engineers and scientists, the intern will gain practical laboratory experience while contributing to experimental investigations and supporting computational modelling activities.
Key responsibility could include:
- Assist in the planning, preparation, and execution of laboratory experiments investigating hydrogen and deuterium interactions with materials.
- Support experimental testing of candidate ceramic breeder materials and other materials relevant to fusion fuel-cycle systems.
- Help develop and test hypotheses relating to hydrogen transport, diffusion, retention, and release under different experimental conditions.
- Gain hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, experimental instrumentation, gas-handling systems, and materials characterization techniques.
- Collect, process, and analyse experimental data, identifying trends and comparing results with expected material behaviour.
- Assist in developing simple computational models and analytical tools to support experimental interpretation and improve understanding of hydrogen–material interactions.
- Document experimental procedures, results, and findings, and communicate progress to the wider engineering team.
- Contribute to maintaining a safe, organized, and effective laboratory environment by following established procedures and safe working practices.
What you'll need:
- Pursuing a bachelor’s program in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
- A fundamental understanding of materials science, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, or related engineering principles.
- An interest in experimental research, laboratory testing, and hands-on engineering activities.
- Some experience with data analysis, programming, or engineering calculations through coursework, laboratory classes, or personal projects.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
- Willingness to learn new experimental techniques, computational tools, and laboratory procedures.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts and experimental findings clearly in written and verbal form.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous laboratory experience through university coursework, research projects, or internships.
- Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for data analysis and basic computational modelling.
- Coursework or project experience involving materials characterization, diffusion, mass transfer, or hydrogen-related technologies.
- Familiarity with experimental instrumentation, data acquisition, or gas-handling systems.
- Interest in fusion energy, hydrogen technologies, advanced materials, or nuclear engineering.
Type One Energy applies proven advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets to develop its optimized stellarator fusion energy system. Our FusionDirect development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion power plant over the coming decade, using a partner-intensive and capital-efficient strategy.
Type One Energy is committed to community engagement in the development and deployment of its clean energy technology. For more information, visit www.typeoneenergy.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Export Control Compliance Notice
This position may require access to technology, technical data, software, or other information that is subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the Company's ability to comply with applicable U.S. Export Control Laws, including obtaining any required government authorizations.
Type One Energy is a Global, U.S.-based company that develops and utilizes technologies subject to U.S. export control and trade compliance regulations. Certain positions may require access to controlled technologies, technical data, software, or other information regulated by U.S. Export Control Laws.
For positions involving access to export-controlled technology or information, the Company may be required to determine whether any government authorization or license is needed before such access can be provided. Any offer of employment for such positions may be contingent upon the Company's ability to comply with applicable U.S. Export Control Laws and obtain any required government authorizations.
U.S. Employment Eligibility Verification
For positions based in the United States, Type One Energy participates in E-Verify and verifies the identity and employment authorization of newly hired employees in accordance with applicable federal law. Employees hired to work in the United States will be required to complete the Form I-9 employment eligibility verification process upon hire.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Type One Energy is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Candidate Privacy
Type One Energy collects personal information from applicants for recruitment, hiring, and related business purposes. We process applicant information in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws and take reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality and security of personal information. By applying for a position, you acknowledge that your personal information may be collected, used, stored, transferred, and disclosed as necessary to evaluate your candidacy, conduct pre-employment screenings where permitted by law, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
Join us in our mission to commercialize fusion energy ⚡️
About Type One Energy
Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture-backed in 2023, the company is led by a team of globally recognized fusion scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines, together with veteran business leaders experienced in scaling companies and commercializing energy technologies.