The Role
The Lead Manufacturing Engineer will oversee a team, support PF Pancake manufacturing, improve processes, and facilitate engineering development.
Summary Generated by Built In
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 working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future.
We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private 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 Lead Manufacturing Engineer
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Manufacturing Engineer to drive excellence and innovation in our production processes. This key role will lead a team of 5 Manufacturing Engineers and serve as the primary technical resource supporting our specialized PF Pancake manufacturing line. The successful candidate will combine strong technical ownership with proven leadership skills to optimize efficiency, quality, and output across this critical area.
What you'll do:
- Team Leadership & Management:
- Directly lead, mentor, and manage a team of 5 Manufacturing Engineers
- Collaborate with Management to strategically assign team member responsibilities and workloads to align with production priorities and projects
- Conduct regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews, focusing on skill development and career path progression within the manufacturing engineering discipline
- Technical Ownership & Support (PF Pancake Manufacturing):
- Act as the primary shared technical resource and owner for the entire PF Pancake manufacturing line, ensuring robust, high-yield processes
- Provide expert engineering support and problem-solving for all PF Pancake manufacturing operations
- Oversee process control, capacity planning, and implement continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to reduce defects and cycle time
- Provide tooling and fixture development oversight for the production area
- Lead the introduction of new manufacturing processes, equipment, and product lines (NPI support)
- Engineering Development:
- Play a crucial role in the development and growth of team members in their manufacturing engineering careers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning, and innovation
- Identify skill gaps and coordinate appropriate training and mentorship opportunities
- Establish best practices and standardized work for the manufacturing engineering function
What we're looking for:
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing engineering role within a high-volume or specialized production environment.
- Demonstrated expertise in process development, statistical process control (SPC), and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma certification is a plus)
- Proven ability to troubleshoot complex equipment and process issues under pressure
Bonus points for:
- 2+ years of experience in a leadership, supervisory, or technical lead role with direct or indirect reports
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
#LI-Onsite
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.
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.
Top Skills
Industrial Engineering
Lean Manufacturing
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Six Sigma
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The Company
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.
