Principal Engineer, Process Safety Management

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.

Our goal is to deploy thousands of fusion power plants (ARCs) around the world. We need a highly motivated and experienced safety and risk engineer to help deliver our first fusion device, SPARC. After SPARC is proven we move forward to multiple iterations of ARC technology for rapid deployment.

We are seeking a Principal Engineer, Process Safety Management to join our Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS) team. Reporting directly to the Director of Project Safety, this role will be the organization’s process safety and risk management expert and will serve as a key advisor to ensure the safe design and operation of novel systems and applications throughout the fusion plant. 

Examples of the unique and novel power systems we are currently engineering include:

● A Cryogenic System (CRYO) removes heat from the tokamak to keep the superconducting magnets operating down to 8°Kelvin (-445°F). CRYO consists of a distribution system with multiple tanks and vacuum-jacketed lines interfacing with the fusion reactor to supply cold helium and return warm to the cryoplant. The cryoplant is a 4 MW helium Brayton cycle plant that rejects the heat to the liquid nitrogen (LN2) and cooling water systems.

● A Radio Frequency Heating System (RFHT) serves as the heat source to bring the plasma up to and sustain operating temperatures, utilizing Ion Cyclotron Resonant Heating. The system is built up of a series of transmitters that convert electrical power to Radio Frequency power, a transmission system, and ultimately an antenna system to send the signals into the tokamak.

 This role is based primarily in office in Devens MA with availability for hybrid work consideration. Most scope will be in office/ in the SPARC fusion plant. A portion of scope will be available for remote consideration.

This team member will:

• Provide a leadership role in developing and implementing a risk management program with concepts of Process Safety Management (PSM), risk analysis and Human and Organization Performance (HOP)
• Develop policies, procedures and standards for analyzing and managing risks
• Provide and recommend training for management and engineering personnel to help them fulfill their roles in risk management
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for risk assessment
• Perform safety risk assessments in accordance with appropriate industry standards and guidance
• Prepare thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations, and sketches related to defined risk scenarios
• Collaborate and communicate with key stakeholders in engineering, project leadership, and operations to maintain continuity of projects
• Educate and align CFS Stakeholders on the use of various safety risk analysis concepts and terms to include, but not limited to:
• o Safety Hierarchy of Controls
• o Categories of applicable regulatory standards
• o Process Safety Management (PSM)
• o Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
• o Hazard Operability Analysis (HAZOPS)
• o Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA)
• o Layers of Protection Analyses (LOPA)
• o Management of Change (MoC)
• o Safety Risk Matrix development and documentation
• Other duties as assigned

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related technical field or experience as follows; 15 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or about 10 years and a Master’s degree of progressive experience in an engineering role in a high-risk industry, preferably power or process plant development, refining or petrochemical plant projects, or a similar industry
• Expert level knowledge and experience with the concepts and practices applicable to process safety and risk assessment
• Proven experience in defining and implementing safety strategies for complex engineering projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to work from a position of credible influence based on technical knowledge versus a position of direct authority
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally

Additional preferred experience and/or qualifications:

• Extensive experience with HAZOP concepts, standards and practices
• Extensive experience working either in a power generation plant or similar capacity related to a grid-connected power utility
• Extensive experience developing a Process Safety Management (PSM) program
• Experience application of Process Hazard Analysis tools in a non-PSM regulated facility
• Working knowledge and competence of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) or Human Performance Improvement concepts and practices.
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• #LI-Hybrid

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.