VP Systems Engineering

First Principle has been retained by an ambitious nuclear energy innovator pursuing a direct, experimentally validated path to commercial-scale fusion. With exceptional scientific talent, strong capitalization, and deep institutional credibility, this team is now navigating the critical transition from R&D to full-system realization.
To support this shift, we’re seeking a Vice President of Systems Engineering to define, build, and lead an engineering function that will underpin the design and delivery of the company’s first prototype and ultimately the commercial-scale reactor.
This is a foundational leadership role responsible for translating cutting-edge physics and subsystem R&D into an executable, scalable, yet completely unprecedented machine.
Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the system architecture for a first-of-a-kind fusion reactor, integrating physics, hardware, controls, and facilities into a coherent whole.
• Translate reactor-scale modeling and scientific insight into engineering requirements and executable development plans.
• Build and scale the systems engineering organization, setting standards that will support future growth from early prototype to large-scale deployment.
• Drive the transition from laboratory experimentation to product-oriented engineering and eventual construction readiness.
• Serve as a senior technical leader, capable of “showing the way” and setting expectations for how incredibly complex systems are built.

Success Criteria

• We are leaving this intentionally open regarding industry background and qualification but expect candidates to bring exceptional credentials and hard-won delivery experience, likely including expertise from the advanced energy, aerospace, or defense sector.
• Senior leadership experience owning systems engineering or product engineering for highly complex hardware platforms.
• A track record of taking large, interdisciplinary systems from concept through design, integration, and operational readiness.
• Deep familiarity with environments where reliability, safety, and performance are non-negotiable.
• Comfort operating in early-stage organizations, building structure where none yet exists while maintaining velocity.
• The credibility and judgment to influence architecture decisions at the highest technical levels.

This role is ideal for someone who has designed and delivered incredibly complex, mission-critical systems and is motivated to apply that experience to tackle one of the world’s most difficult engineering challenges. You will have exceptional autonomy and the opportunity to leave a lasting technical imprint on a platform designed to operate at global infrastructure scale.
We are open to international candidates, with relocation to California supported. First Principle has extensive experience supporting visa processes for highly specialized technical leaders, and this will not be a roadblock for the right individual.
If you’ve built industry-defining systems that others study, we encourage you to apply or reach out to our team for more information.