As a Controls Engineer, you are proficient in most or all core functions of your discipline, executing mid-to-long term assignments that are loosely defined. You operate with general guidance from management, increasingly taking independent ownership of developing execution approaches for equipment and process concepts.
You will generate work plans and define milestones for your own tasks, identifying and mitigating lower-risk items. You will provide technical leadership on short-term problems within your group's scope and lead formal design reviews with cross-functional teams.
What you'll do:
- Independently own the complete lifecycle — physical mounting, pneumatic/electrical integration, and PLC I/O mapping through commissioning — for smaller equipment components and upgrades, handing off to Manufacturing Engineering
- Support production equipment on the floor — troubleshoot faults, restore uptime, and follow through with root-cause analysis and preventative fixes
- Provide technical leadership on short-term problems within your group's scope; lead formal design reviews with cross-functional teams (equipment/MEs)
- Contribute to system architectures and electrical schematics, applying and standardizing elements compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
- Write and debug PLC structured text with an emphasis on code that is organized, documented, maintainable, and reusable
- Contribute to department policies, tool development, and the characterization of automated processes using data-driven approaches like Cpk and Gage R&R
- Respectfully raise concerns and share data-driven perspectives in group settings to support the best path forward
- Identify and mitigate lower-risk items (e.g., lead times, part tolerances) by coordinating with standard vendors; escalate larger risks to management
What we're looking for:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering field is required
- 4+ years' experience as controls engineer on electro-mechanical systems
- Proficiency in Structured Text and Ladder; working knowledge of other IEC 61131-3 languages
- Ability to apply sound reasoning and judgment on tasks and near-term project decisions, with review and support from senior engineers
- Working knowledge of control-related safety systems (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) and enclosure design compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
- A reliable and persistent work ethic, seeing tasks through to completion and staying determined in the face of uncertainty and failure
- Familiarity with manufacturing equipment and hands-on fabrication or assembly skills (e.g., rotating machinery, cable winding, soldering, pipe bending, or similar)
- Collaboration experience with job shops and external vendors
- High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- A value for design for manufacturability, serviceability, and simplicity over complexity
Bonus points for:
- Experience in Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
- Experience in Ignition SCADA systems
- Experience integrating equipment data into SCADA/data systems (e.g., IO-Link, MQTT)
- Machine Vision experience
- Greenfield or brownfield startup commissioning experience
- Expertise with CAD drafting, specifically AutoCAD Electrical
Must-have requirements:
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering field
- 4+ years of experience as a controls engineer working on electromechanical systems
- Proficiency in Structured Text and Ladder Logic
- Working knowledge of other IEC 61131-3 programming languages
- Working knowledge of control-related safety systems compliant with ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA
- Working knowledge of enclosure design compliant with NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A
- Familiarity with manufacturing equipment and hands-on fabrication or assembly skills
- Experience collaborating with job shops and external vendors
- Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, self-motivation, and execution skills
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
- Ability to perform typing, standing, stooping, and sitting for extended periods
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work nights, weekends, or on-call shifts
- Experience with Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
- Experience with Ignition SCADA systems
- Experience integrating equipment data into SCADA or data systems using IO-Link or MQTT
- Machine vision experience
- Greenfield or brownfield startup commissioning experience
- Expertise with CAD drafting, specifically AutoCAD Electrical
What We Do
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy. CFS is collaborating with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with new groundbreaking high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. CFS is now building SPARC, the world's first commercially relevant, net energy fusion demonstration device. SPARC will pave the way for the first fusion power plant, ARC, that will produce power on the grid. The ultimate mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. If you are interested in joining our team, check out cfs.energy/careers for more information.
