Manager, R&D Test Engineering

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 over $2 billion in capital – more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S.

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 an R&D Test Engineering Manager

As a test engineering manager, you are responsible for leading and developing a small multi-discipline test team in efficiently and effectively operating test stands for acceptance testing production hardware on aggressive schedules that support Commonwealth Fusion System’s mission. These test stands combine high-power electrical systems, cryogenics and vacuum systems requiring a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids and software engineering, or some combination. Your team will be responsible for understanding and enhancing test stand design, completing the build and commissioning of test stands as well as operating and maintaining the test stands to ensure a high-quality data product as a result of the test. You must work collaboratively across Production, R&D, Procurement, and the SPARC teams to achieve these goals. You will coach your team to constantly push and challenge requirements, risks, and test objectives to help the combined stakeholders come to a consensus on why a planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the outcome to be achieved.

What you'll do:

• Lead and develop a small multi-discipline test team to efficiently and effectively operate test stands for acceptance testing HTS magnet technology hardware on aggressive schedules aligned to CFS’s mission
• Understand and enhance test stand designs, complete builds, commission, operate and maintain the test stands while delivering high-quality data. These test stands combine high-power electrical systems, cryogenics and vacuum systems requiring a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids, instrumentation, and software engineering
• Mentor and develop the team to understand, challenge, and maintain requirements, risks, and test objectives to improve consensus on test success criteria
• Lead test campaigns for production test articles and brief the test plan as part of a Test Readiness Review (TRR)
• Develop, coordinate and collaborate on multi-month test support schedules
• Develop and maintain test plans and procedures, highlighting the test objectives and key data
• Design, analyze, review, procure, and build test equipment




• Perform as a technical expert, a project lead, and people leader as necessary to meet project demands and work collaboratively across teams (Production, R&D, Procurement) to achieve these goals
• Troubleshoot and resolve integration and test discrepancies during build, commissioning and operation
• Iterate on designs, equipment and operations for repeat tests to improve test efficiency
• Perform analyses for the system predicting results and develop custom tools to analyze generated data; compile test results clearly for review
• Lead anomaly investigations and their resolution, and present results to a team of physicists and engineers

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field is required; electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred
• 10+ years' experience as a test engineer on complex electromechanical systems
• 1+ year of experience as a people manager
• Experience in authoring test plans and test procedures
• Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, solenoids, etc.

Bonus points for:

• Experience with designing or operating fluid systems – P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes
• Experience with designing or operating cryogenic equipment design and use for liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium use – vacuum jacketed equipment, cryocoolers, phase separators, cold traps
• Experience with designing or operating high vacuum equipment design and use – roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, residual gas analyzers
• Experience with designing or operating high voltage and high current power equipment design and use – power supplies, water cooled cables, insulation

Must-have requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, stooping, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally

#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.