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Breakthrough Energy Fellows Portfolio Job Board

Operations Generalist

Marathon Fusion

Marathon Fusion

Operations
San Francisco, CA, USA
USD 80k-160k / year + Equity
Posted on Jul 12, 2025

Off the back of our recent publication, we are hiring for technical roles across a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds. Due to an unusually high level of interest during this time, we may be slow to respond.

About Marathon Fusion

Since our founding in 2023, we've developed fuel cycle technologies to deliver fusion energy more quickly with better economics. Marathon Fusion was founded by Adam Rutkowski, previously a Propulsion Engineer at SpaceX and PhD candidate in Plasma Physics at Princeton University, and Kyle Schiller, previously a Fellow in science policy at Schmidt Futures. We believed then, and now more than ever, that fusion is humanity's best pathway to abundant, clean and reliable energy.

We've secured over $10m in funding from the US Department of Energy and leading investors including 1517 Fund and Strong Atomics. We have letters of intent from leading fusion companies including Helion Energy, commonwealth Fusion Systems, and Thea Energy.

We've built plasma centrifuges for isotope separation, superpermeable pumps for rapid fuel recycling in fusion power plants. We're on a quest to commercialize alchemy, accelerate the deployment of fusion energy, and open a new frontier in scientific discovery.

Culture at Marathon Fusion

We are a startup environment characterized by a need for focus, adaptability and prioritization in a shifting landscape. Thriving in this environment requires excellent proactive communication across roles and backgrounds, the ability to build and maintain trust between team members, and the willingness to learn and develop new skills on the job. We place particularly high weight on each team member's ability to be self-directed.

Operations at Marathon Fusion

Join our team as our first full-time operations hire, where you'll build the foundation to enabling fusion energy. You'll establish systems and processes that scale with our rapid growth.

You'll work closely with the CEO, as well as our part-time operational staff in recruiting, administration and finance, and our external teams in legal and accounting.

What You'll Do:

  • Design and implement operational workflows for a cutting-edge R&D environment

  • Manage day-to-day business operations including payroll, compliance, and office management

  • Support talent acquisition and onboarding for highly specialized technical roles

  • Coordinate grant management processes and regulatory compliance requirements

  • Streamline logistics for specialized equipment and materials handling

  • Partner with leadership to establish scalable operational frameworks

  • Manage relationships with external partners in legal, accounting, and consulting

Why This Role Matters: As our first operations hire, you'll have unprecedented opportunity to shape how we operate at the intersection of advanced physics, nuclear technology, and commercial innovation. Your work will directly enable our scientists and engineers to focus on breakthrough research while ensuring we meet the rigorous standards required in the nuclear/fusion industry.

Who We're Looking For: We're open to candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience levels - from recent graduates to seasoned professionals. We will scale compensation and responsibilities appropriately, and work with consultants, and contractors where needed to fill in gaps.

Essential qualities and abilities:

  • Reliability, conscientiousness and integrity in a fast-paced environment

  • Adaptability and eagerness to learn new systems and processes

  • Comfort working independently and taking ownership of projects

  • Excellent written and oral communication

  • Organization and project management

  • Proficient in data analysis and presentation

  • Strong digital literacy and ability to quickly learn new software platforms

Helpful but not required:

  • Experience with operations, project management, or administrative roles

  • Familiarity with grant administration, government contracting, or regulated industries

  • Background in high-tech, R&D, or scientific environments

  • Previous exposure to startup environments

Compensation

There is a wide range of salaries based on experience, qualifications and ability: $80,000 - $160,000. All compensation packages for full-time employees include equity ownership in Marathon Fusion.

Benefits

We offer the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

  • Medical and dental insurance

  • Generous paid time off and sick leave

  • 401(k) plan

  • Commuter benefits

  • Stocked office kitchen

Marathon Fusion considers all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.