R&D Engineer

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless 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.

This role requires compliance with U.S. laws concerning the export of controlled or protected technologies or information (collectively, “Export Control Laws"). Any offer of employment will be contingent on the need for compliance with such Export Control Laws.

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And we're working with policymakers, suppliers, and many others to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised $4 billion of capital, making us the largest and leading fusion company in the world.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

Join the power movement as a R&D Engineer

As an R&D Engineer, you will work dynamically across multiple engineering disciplines and cross-functional teams to execute critical projects and tests on fast-paced timelines in support of CFS’s mission.

Strong foundational knowledge in physics, mechanical engineering, electrical systems, materials science, fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis (FEA) is essential.

We are privileged with a high degree of cownership of the risks assigned to us, from initial concept to final validation:

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

Responsibilities

• Our core mandate is to systematically retire technical risks for HTS Cable Magnets by developing experiments, prototypes, and specialized test stands, followed by rigorous testing to generate high-quality data.
• Partner across R&D, Design, Manufacturing, and Procurement to critically evaluate requirements, clarify test objectives, and align stakeholders on necessary outcomes and essential data
• Engineer and construct targeted hardware, prototypes, and custom test systems required to fulfill objective goals

Commission setups, run experiments safely and methodically

• Perform rigorous data analysis, and communicate results clearly to the broader organization. Ultimately our output is data and it is our responsibility to stand by it
• Design, analyze, review, procure, and build mechanical assemblies and test equipment. Including structures, fluid systems, pressure vessels, mechanical systems, and electro-mechanical systems. We deal with extreme environments and conditions: tens of tons of load, thousands of amps, kilovolts, cryogenic temperatures etc
• Work with Test Engineers to plan tests for achieving objectives, collecting key data needed and defining instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain this data. Ensure data is reliable and validated
• Understand, challenge, and maintain well-documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test
• Identify and mitigate safety hazards associated with test equipment and prototypes. Produce safety documentation such as job hazard assessments and test readiness reviews
• Maintain documentation and schedule for projects responsible for. Documentation may include: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, and drawings, and technician work instructions
• Perform any needed analysis to create successful designs. Analysis may include structural, thermal, or fluid.
• Analysis to include first principles hand calculations and/or FEA, whichever is warranted.
• Troubleshoot and resolve integration discrepancies during build, and commissioning of new designs
• Iterate on designs, equipment, and operations to improve designs

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in engineering or science field is required; Mechanical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree
• 3+ years experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, and commissioning complex mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies
• 3+ years using CAD software to design complex assemblies, producing drawings for procurement with a working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-up
• 3+ years experience with analysis of mechanical components, strength of materials and failure criteria. Familiar with use of fasteners, analysis of welds, and bolted joints
• Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc
• Excellent troubleshooting/problem- solving skills with great attention to detail
• Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences

High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly

• A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn and/or teach junior engineers/technicians
• Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems
• Ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems
• Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods

Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs

• Perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics

Preferred

• 5+ years experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, and commissioning complex mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies
• 5+ years using CAD software to design complex assemblies, producing drawings for procurement with a working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-up
• 5+ years experience with analysis of mechanical components, strength of materials and failure criteria. Familiar with use of fasteners, analysis of welds, and bolted joints
• Experience with structural FEA software, especially ANSYS and COMSOL
• Experience with multi-physics analysis in ANSYS or COMSOL

Experience using NX and Teamcenter

• Experience with high field magnet testing, traditional or superconducting
• Experience with data processing, analysis, and plotting using Python, MATLAB, or similar
• Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use – power supplies, water cooled cables, insulation

Pay

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.

Competitive compensation with equity

Benefits

• 13 Company-wide Holidays
• Flexible vacation days
• 10 sick days
• Generous parental leave policy
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional growth opportunities
• Team-building activities