The Role
Leads controls engineering for complex manufacturing and test equipment, including conceptual development, system architecture, electrical schematics, PLC programming, SCADA modules, commissioning, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, vendor coordination, and process characterization. Provides technical leadership, mentors engineers, develops reusable automation solutions, manages equipment risks, and supports cross-functional alignment. The role requires onsite work, occasional travel, physical activity, and safety compliance in environments involving high voltage, cryogenics, magnets, fumes, and other hazards.
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, suppliers, and many others to build the energy industry of the future.
We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised $4 billion of capital, making us the largest and leading 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 Senior Controls Engineer
As a Senior Controls Engineer, you are an expert in core functions and have a deep understanding of specific domains. You will take independent ownership of developing execution approaches for complex machine and process concepts, operating with little direction from management.
You will generate detailed work plans, define milestones for complex work, and define processes that impact the broader department. You will act as a technical leader, providing expertise for long-term assignments and mentoring junior engineering staff.
What you'll do:
- Lead the initial equipment conceptual development while balancing product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, and lead time limits
- Act as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for complex equipment assets or SCADA modules, independently managing deployment through commissioning and post-commissioning stabilization
- Diagnose complex, systemic equipment failures on the production floor and independently lead formal root cause analyses (RCA) to deliver long-term solutions
- Provide technical leadership on medium to long-term problems and share expertise outside of the immediate group
- Create and approve robust system architectures and electrical schematics (compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards) for manufacturing and test equipment, designed for modularity and reuse across future equipment
- Write and debug PLC structured text with an emphasis on code that is organized, documented, maintainable, and reusable
- Define technical requirements and documentation packages for external equipment vendors and integrators
- Contribute to department policies, tool development, and the characterization of automated processes using data-driven approaches like Cpk and Gage R&R
- Respectfully challenge and influence cross-functional peers to achieve alignment on the best path forward, leveraging data and rationale to support your point of view
- Regularly help onboard peer employees and formally mentor junior colleagues to support their professional growth and skill development
- Identify and mitigate low and medium risks while identifying larger risks and proposing solutions to management
What we're looking for:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering field is required
- 7+ years' experience as a controls engineer on complex electro-mechanical systems
- Mastery of programming and troubleshooting automation controllers in all IEC 61131-3 designated languages
- Proven ability to apply sound reasoning and considerable judgment in ambiguous situations where decisions impact large portions of a project
- Experience with control reliable safety systems (ANSI/RIA R15.06/OSHA compliant)
- Expertise in enclosure design compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
- A reliable and persistent work ethic, seeing tasks through to completion and staying determined in the face of uncertainty and failure
- Familiarity with rotating machinery, cable winding, soldering, and/or pipe bending
- Collaboration experience with job shops and external vendors
- High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated commitment to design for manufacturability, serviceability, and simplicity over complexity
Bonus points for:
- Experience in Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
- Experience in Ignition SCADA systems
- Experience integrating equipment data into SCADA/data systems (e.g., IO-Link, MQTT)
- Machine Vision experience
- Greenfield or brownfield startup commissioning experience
- Expertise with CAD drafting, specifically AutoCAD Electrical
Must-have requirements:
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
#LI-Onsite
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 an engineering field
- 7+ years of experience as a controls engineer working on complex electro-mechanical systems
- Mastery of programming and troubleshooting automation controllers using IEC 61131-3 languages
- Ability to apply sound reasoning and considerable judgment in ambiguous situations affecting major project areas
- Experience with control-reliable safety systems compliant with ANSI/RIA R15.06 and OSHA
- Expertise designing enclosures compliant with NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A
- Familiarity with rotating machinery, cable winding, soldering, and/or pipe bending
- Experience collaborating with job shops and external vendors
- Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, self-motivation, and execution skills
- Commitment to design for manufacturability, serviceability, and simplicity
- Experience with Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
- Experience with Ignition SCADA systems
- Experience integrating equipment data with SCADA or data systems using technologies such as IO-Link or MQTT
- Machine vision experience
- Greenfield or brownfield startup commissioning experience
- Expertise with CAD drafting, specifically AutoCAD Electrical
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
- Ability to type, stand, stoop, and sit for extended periods
- Dedication to workplace safety in environments involving heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work nights, weekends, or on call
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
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.
