Join the power movement as an R&D Test Engineer
The role of the R&D Test Engineer is to seamlessly flex between multiple disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting Commonwealth Fusion System’s mission. This engineer will be primarily responsible for testing and retiring risks for CFS’ HTS magnets and in particular, focus on the mechanical, electrical, and process design and construction of the test equipment and supporting subsystems. The ideal candidate will have a fundamental understanding of at least one of the following engineering disciplines: mechanical, electrical, or fluids. They will be responsible for the design, build, and commissioning of equipment in support of development, qualification and production test objectives. They will work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and SPARC teams to achieve their test campaigns. It is also the role of the R&D Test Engineer to help the combined
stakeholders come to a consensus on why a test is required and what data is deemed essential for the outcome to be achieved.
What you'll do:
- Own and retire technical risks by designing, analyzing, procuring, building, and commissioning test equipment utilizing your knowledge of physics, structures, instrumentation and controls, mechanical and electrical systems
- Understand, challenge and maintain well-documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test
- Develop test plans that effectively retire technical risks including defining appropriate instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain repeatable and reliable data
Identify and mitigate safety hazards associated with test equipment and test plans - Design safety into the system and produce safety documentation such as job hazard assessments
- Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) prior to executing testing to ensure all test activities are both required and safe
- Design experiment campaigns that match our fast pace and work hard to maintain the proposed schedule
- 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
- Create analytical models based on first principles to predict test results
- Compile test results clearly for review and effectively communicate technical topics to both technical and non technical audiences
What we're looking for:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar applied physics degree
- 5+ years experience designing/building/commissioning specialized test or industrial equipment with hands on experience and a proven ability to deliver reliable data (A Master’s degree with similar experience may be substituted)
- 1+ years using CAD software to design electromechanical assemblies
- Proven understanding of mechanical loading, failure modes, and material strength including fasteners design and bolted joints
- An understanding of how mechanical engineering fundamentals support complex design maturation including but not limited to tolerancing, GD&T, form/fit/function, material selection, DFM, and DFA
- A solid grasp of electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.
- Proven troubleshooting/problem-solving skills with an ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems
- Proven collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems
- Exceptional communication skills through both written and verbal methods
High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly. A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn
Bonus points for:
- Experience with structural FEA software, especially ANSYS and COMSOL, bolt loading calculations, and failure criteria
- Experience using NX and Teamcenter
- Experience with high field magnet testing traditional or superconducting
- Experience with weld design / stress analysis
- Experience with commissioning new test facilities
- Experience with designing fluid systems – P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes.
- Experience with developing and executing complex test procedures, in particular tests that include multiple skill sets, different testing phases, and 3rd parties
- Familiarity with superconducting magnets (Lorentz loads, magnet design, conductor design)
- Experience with cryogenic equipment design and use for liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium use – 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 with 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 stooping, climbing, typing, 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
- Ability to work in industrial or loud environments, with proper PPE
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
#LI-Onsite
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or applied physics preferred
- 5+ years of experience designing, building, and commissioning specialized test or industrial equipment
- Hands-on experience delivering reliable test data
- Master’s degree with similar experience may substitute for the bachelor’s degree and experience requirement
- At least 1 year of experience using CAD software to design electromechanical assemblies
- Understanding of mechanical loading, failure modes, material strength, fastener design, and bolted joints
- Understanding of tolerancing, GD&T, form/fit/function, material selection, design for manufacturing, and design for assembly
- Understanding of electromagnetic fundamentals, including voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, and solenoids
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving ability with creative solution development
- Collaboration, active listening, and facilitation skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivation, execution speed, and willingness to learn
- Experience with structural FEA software, especially ANSYS and COMSOL
- Experience using NX and Teamcenter
- Experience testing high-field or superconducting magnets
- Experience with weld design, stress analysis, or bolt-loading calculations
- Experience commissioning new test facilities
- Experience designing fluid systems, including P&IDs, component selection, and ASME design codes
- Experience developing and executing complex, multi-phase test procedures involving multiple skill sets and third parties
- Familiarity with superconducting magnets, Lorentz loads, magnet design, and conductor design
- Experience with cryogenic equipment, liquid nitrogen, supercritical helium, vacuum-jacketed equipment, cryocoolers, phase separators, or cold traps
- Experience with high-vacuum equipment such as roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, and residual gas analyzers
- Experience with high-voltage and high-current power equipment
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and perform extended stooping, climbing, typing, standing, or sitting
- Ability to work safely in industrial or loud environments while using proper PPE
- Willingness to travel or work occasional nights, weekends, or on-call shifts
Commonwealth Fusion Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Commonwealth Fusion Systems and has not been reviewed or approved by Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
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Healthcare Strength — Health insurance is a core part of the package, with broad medical coverage presented as competitive for a growing tech and engineering employer. This is consistently listed alongside other cornerstone benefits.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) program with employer match is prominently included in compensation descriptions, signaling support for long-term savings. This appears across roles, including technical and production postings.
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Parental & Family Support — Generous parental leave is cited as a notable element of the offering. It sits alongside paid leave options that many candidates prioritize.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems Insights
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.
