SPARC sustains fusion reactions by feeding >25MW of 120MHz RF power into the tokamak to heat the plasma to 100 million Kelvin. We need a Principal RF Systems Engineer to play a pivotal role in building the most powerful RF plant in the world.
At this level, you are a highly influential architect of the system. You will help drive the high-level technical direction while remaining deeply hands-on, taking a central role in the integration of high-power electronics, solid-state amplification, and complex transmission networks to ensure SPARC achieves net energy.
For more information on the SPARC RF plant, see the SPARC journal papers here:
- Overview of the SPARC tokamak
- Physics basis for the ICRF system of the SPARC tokamak
What you'll do:
- Shape System Architecture: Play a critical role in the end-to-end design and integration strategy for RF plants for tokamaks, collaborating with other senior engineers to ensure seamless interaction between RF sources, matching networks, and the dynamic plasma load
- Guide Solid-State & Electronics Integration: Act as a key driver in the architecture and design of the electronics ecosystems required to integrate massive, distributed RF systems, with a heavy emphasis on solid-state amplifier technology and associated power supplies
- Spearhead Instrumentation & Control (I&C): Take the initiative in designing and integrating advanced RF signal detection, measurement circuits, and embedded digital controllers that interface seamlessly with SPARC’s central data collection systems
- Tame High-Power Delivery: Serve as a central figure in the hands-on design, integration, and optimization of critical high-power transmission components, specifically large-diameter coax lines and dynamic impedance matching networks
- Hands-on Technical Mentorship: Act as a senior technical authority on the floor. You will be actively involved in commissioning equipment, troubleshooting the most complex system-level hardware discrepancies, and organically mentoring junior engineers to elevate the entire RF team's capabilities
What we’re looking for:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (Master’s or Ph.D. strongly preferred for this level)
- Experience: 15+ years of hands-on experience in high-power RF systems, radar, particle accelerators, or heavy industrial power electronics
- RF Fundamentals Expertise: Proven intuition for high-power RF environments, specifically hands-on experience measuring forward and reflected RF power, diagnosing RF arcs, and designing the timing and electronics to mitigate them
- Electronics & Design: Exceptional skills in RF circuit and electronics design (Altium or similar) specifically geared toward instrumentation, sensing, control, and system integration. Experience in EMI/EMC mitigation to ensure sensitive timing and RF detection circuits operate reliably within extreme high-power, high-noise environments
- Advanced Simulation: High proficiency in RF/Microwave simulation software (CST, HFSS, etc.) to validate architectural decisions before physical integration
- Cross-Disciplinary Fluency: A strong systems-level understanding of modern high-performance embedded digital controllers, high speed communications, and fundamentals of mechanical/thermal design to interface effectively with cross-functional teams
Must-have Requirements:
- Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
- 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
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- 15 or more years of hands-on experience in high-power RF systems, radar, particle accelerators, or heavy industrial power electronics
- Hands-on expertise measuring forward and reflected RF power and diagnosing RF arcs
- Experience designing timing and electronics to mitigate RF arcs
- Exceptional RF circuit and electronics design skills for instrumentation, sensing, control, and system integration
- Experience with Altium or similar electronics design software
- Experience with EMI/EMC mitigation in high-power, high-noise environments
- High proficiency with RF or microwave simulation software such as CST or HFSS
- Systems-level understanding of embedded digital controllers and high-speed communications
- Fundamental knowledge of mechanical and thermal design
- Willingness to travel and work occasional nights, weekends, or on-call shifts
- Ability to work around industrial hazards including high voltage, high current, strong magnets, lead, pressure systems, and cryogenics
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field
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.
