The Role
Design, build, and commission high-voltage systems and test equipment for superconducting magnets. Lead and execute R&D test campaigns, perform analyses, develop instrumentation and DAQ, document results, and present findings to engineering and physics teams while collaborating across manufacturing, procurement, and integration teams.
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 we're 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 R&D Engineer
Most fusion-relevant superconducting magnets undergo high voltage transients that must be designed and tested against—using protection schemes that must take high and poor vacuum effects into account (e.g. the Paschen effect). This role is aimed towards research and development of high voltage systems for superconducting magnets with a focus on the Paschen effect including the execution and development of test campaigns as well as leading RCCA efforts through analysis and testing to resolve issues that may arise with the SPARC / ARC magnets currently in production, tokamak integration, and commissioning. Magnet technology is inherently multidisciplinary, and a successful R&D engineer will seamlessly flex between disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting CFS's mission. The R&D Engineer must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids and software engineering, or some combination thereof—with a focus on high voltage systems in vacuum. The R&D Engineer will be responsible for the design, build, and commissioning of equipment and/or software in support of development, qualification and production tests related to high voltage systems inside vacuum. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and SPARC teams to achieve their test campaigns. It is also the role of the R&D Engineer to constantly push and challenge the requirements, risks, and test objectives that they are provided to help the combined stakeholders come to a consensus on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the outcome to be achieved.
What you'll do:
- Develop new high voltage system designs and their associated subsystems, which includes designing and building R&D test samples, and developing their manufacturing processes and test operations
- Design, build, and commission high voltage test equipment required to accomplish R&D test campaign objectives
- Perform structural, electrical, and/or thermal analyses in support of R&D sample design and to predict test results
- Build expertise in testing superconducting magnets under high voltage
- Support the production, test, integration, and commissioning of SPARC insulated coils
- Understand, challenge, and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test, and align stakeholders on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the desired outcome to be achieved
- Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop necessary instrumentation and data acquisition systems
- Maintain documentation, schedules, and budgets for test campaigns. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, BOMs, data acquisition systems, job hazard analysis, test logs, and operations software
- Develop custom tools to analyze generated data. Compile test results in presentations for review
- Prepare and deliver presentations containing trade studies, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and test data reviews to teams of engineers and physicists
What we’re looking for:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred
- 2+ years’ experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing, building, commissioning complex electromechanical systems
- Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples, voltage and current sensors, oscilloscopes, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, fittings and valves
- Experience with developing and executing test procedures
- Proficiency with CAD design in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software
- Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals: voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.
- Excellent troubleshooting / problem-solving skills with great attention to detail
- Experience developing and effectively presenting comprehensive trade studies comparing the pros & cons of various technical approaches
- Data reduction and analysis skills that can be used in generating anticipated results and processing generated data
- Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly
- Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating productive discourse on problems
- Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods.
Bonus points for:
- Experience writing Python or MATLAB data tools for processing and analyzing data
- Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use – power supplies, water-cooled cables, insulation
- Experience with designing, building, and testing composite materials.
- Have a general understanding of the physics of high voltage breakdown and the Paschen effect
- Experience debugging electronics hardware and test software
- Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
- Experience with cryogenic equipment design for use with liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium – vacuum jacketed equipment, cryocoolers, phase separators, cold traps
- Experience with high vacuum equipment design and use – roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, residual gas analyzers
- Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes and handing off processes to production teams
Must-have requirements:
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
- Perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping or sitting for extended periods of time
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
- 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
#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.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field
- 2+ years' experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing, building, commissioning complex electromechanical systems
- Experience selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components (thermocouples, voltage/current sensors, oscilloscopes, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, valves)
- Experience developing and executing test procedures and test campaigns
- Proficiency with CAD design in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software
- Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals (voltage, current, resistance, AC/DC, solenoids)
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail
- Experience developing and presenting trade studies and technical reviews
- Data reduction and analysis skills for predicting and processing test results
- Effective technical communication to both technical and non-technical audiences
- High self-motivation, ability to execute quickly and collaborate across teams
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
- Ability to perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping or sitting for extended periods
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work nights/weekends/on-call
- Ability to work in facilities with industrial hazards (heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage/current, pressure systems, cryogenics)
- Experience writing Python or MATLAB data tools for processing and analyzing data
- Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use (power supplies, water-cooled cables, insulation)
- Experience designing, building, and testing composite materials
- General understanding of high voltage breakdown physics and the Paschen effect
- Experience debugging electronics hardware and test software
- Experience designing and commissioning new test facilities
- Experience with cryogenic equipment design (liquid nitrogen, supercritical helium) and vacuum-jacketed systems
- Experience with high vacuum equipment design and use (roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, RGAs)
- Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes and handing off to production
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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.
