Experiment Controls Intern (Summer 2026+) at Marathon Fusion · San…

Summary: Marathon Fusion is a startup focused on developing fusion energy technologies. They are seeking an Experiment Controls Intern to work at the intersection of software development and electronics, primarily involving experimental design and integration of hardware systems. Responsibilities: - Conceptualizing, designing, and setting up experiments to test hardware and measure plasma properties - Designing, building, and characterizing electrical or optical measurement systems and experimental controls - Executing experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to the design iteration of core technologies like the plasma centrifuge and metal foil pump - Develop software to interface directly with laboratory instruments and hardware systems - Integrate with preexisting Marathon controls framework - Create new framework for new instruments - Further develop controls capability Required Qualifications: - Studying physics, but have meaningful hands-on experience in software and electronics as it relates to experiments - Studying computer engineering or a related field, with experience in controls or experiment design - Studying electrical engineering or a related field, with experience in controls or experiment design - Studying an engineering field or other technical field and have exceptional work-ethic, eagerness to learn, and autonomy - Excellent written and oral communication - Ability to think holistically about systems - Capacity to learn new technical subjects quickly, collaborate cross-functionally, and consider problems from inter-disciplinary perspectives - Organization and project management - A high degree of conscientiousness and integrity - Long-term vision while executing short-term goals - Comfort with the inherent uncertainty of breakthrough technology - Experimental mindset, ability to form and test hypotheses Preferred Qualifications: - Experience in Modbus - Experience in SCPI - Experience in PCB design - Experience in high power electronics - Experience in RF matching networks - Experience in plasma physics - Experience in LabView - Experience in NI DAQ Frameworks - Experience in Git - Experience in object oriented programming Required Skills: Software Development, Electronics, Control Systems, Experimental Design, Electrical Measurement Systems, Optical Measurement Systems, Data Analysis, Python, Serial Communication, PCB Design, LabView, Git, Object Oriented Programming, Conscientiousness, Experimental Mindset, Project Management Internship Start Date: Start in 2026 Summer