Join the power movement as an R&D Measurement & Automation Engineer
The role of a Measurement and Automation Engineer is to collaboratively develop, test, and deliver data acquisition systems, control hardware, software suites, and associated instrumentation. These systems will be used during the integration, development, qualification, and production testing of CFS magnets and other critical SPARC components. This engineer will also work with multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technicians to produce instrumentation and control systems that generate reliable data in support of critical company missions. They will organize and drive a cohesive instrumentation and control program for R&D and serve as a technical mentor for I&C engineers and test engineers on the team. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, software, and SPARC teams to achieve these goals.
What you'll do:
- Work within a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and physicists
- Collaborate with small engineering teams through the design, procurement, fabrication, commissioning, and demonstration of prototype engineering test stands and customer-facing magnet products
- Report on progress to the R&D Project Managers
- Design and implement fast and creative solutions for small and diverse projects and experiments
- Design, document, build, and install industrial PLC equipment, harnessing, and cabinetry
- Create custom solutions to improve manufacturability, yield, and reliability of large production-style magnet test stands
- Analyze data with a focus on data integrity, quality, reliability, and performance improvement
- Implement system safety features including interlocks and fault detection
- Develop HMI/GUI software running on remote control workstations using visual software languages such as LabVIEW or Ignition
What we’re looking for:
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or another related engineering field with significant hands-on laboratory experience
- 5+ years in an integration or test engineering role, working with physical lab or industrial equipment
- 5+ years of experience designing, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics hardware and test software
- The ability to succeed in a fast-paced and dynamic engineering environment
Bonus points for:
- Schematic capture, layout, construction, and installation of evaluation PCBs and harnesses
- Experience developing P&ID, electrical, and wiring schematics and diagrams, and then working with a team to translate these into a functioning system for the acquisition of decision-quality data
- Experience assembling and troubleshooting electrical and mechanical hardware especially with high voltage electronics
- Demonstrated expertise in the use of lab and test equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, high-capacity power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers
- Experience with C/C++, Python, Structured Text, and other programming languages
- Experience with LabVIEW automation and development techniques
- Experience with Beckhoff PLC hardware and software, including TwinCAT
- Experience with control systems for test applications, including PIDs, state machines, real-time systems, sequencers, etc.
- Experience with mechanical fixturing, including the design of mechanical elements in CAD software such as AutoCAD or NX
- Familiarity with industrial cabinet schematic and layout tools such as AutoCAD Electrical or SkyCAD Electrical
- Experience working with high-power, cryogenic, vacuum, fluids, and/or superconducting technologies
- Experience utilizing industry-standard software best practices, including Jira workflows, GitHub version control & peer code reviews
Must-have Requirements:
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
- Perform extended activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc.
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call regularly
- 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 related field
- 5+ years in an integration or test engineering role
- 5+ years of experience designing, testing, troubleshooting electronics hardware
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
- Willingness to travel or work nights/weekends/on-call regularly
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.
