Also called: Tokamak Operator, Experiment Operations Engineer
Runs the control room of a fusion experiment, executing 'shots' planned by physicists.
You go through the startup checklist, charge magnets and power supplies, fire a plasma shot, and reset everything for the next one a few minutes later.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in engineering or physics; technicians may enter with an associate degree.
Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology.
Growing much faster than average. Fusion isn't tracked by BLS; private fusion companies have raised billions and are hiring fast, but commercial power is still years away.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI control systems run more of each shot automatically; operators still set up, monitor and keep the machine safe.
Classes: AP Physics, Computer science, Algebra 2.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3029.
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