The Role
Lead and mentor a controls engineering team to design, program, commission, and sustain automated manufacturing equipment (PLCs, robots, VFDs). Translate strategy into project plans, enforce controls architecture and safety standards, manage vendors, and drive equipment acceptance in a high-volume production environment.
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 Senior Manager, Controls Engineering
The Senior Manager of Controls Engineering is a hands-on leader accountable for the success of automated manufacturing systems for high-temperature superconducting magnets. You will translate technical strategy into actionable plans, removing obstacles and guiding your team through the full lifecycle of custom machinery—from design and procurement to commissioning and sustaining operations. As a manager, you are responsible for cascading vision, driving technical excellence, and ensuring your team delivers high-quality results in an ambitious production environment.
What you'll do:
- Lead a team of controls engineers to plan and execute near to medium-term goals for production line automation and equipment reliability
- Translate department-level strategy into clear group objectives and measurable project milestones
- Define and optimize engineering processes and tools within the group to improve cross-functional efficiency
- Proactively manage risks and resolve complex, non-routine technical barriers with minimal guidance
- Oversee the design, programming, and troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment, including PLC and robotic integration
- Establish and enforce technical standards and best practices for controls architecture across the department
- Manage the full talent lifecycle for the group, including recruiting, hiring, and setting performance expectations
- Coach and mentor individual contributors to support their long-term professional growth and technical skill development
- Build strong partnerships across manufacturing, facilities, and leadership to align on equipment specifications and resolve conflicts
- Foster a resilient culture by modeling a strong work ethic and propagating company values within the team
- Occasionally step in and own smaller projects to support team deficiencies
What we're looking for:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering field
- 5+ years of experience as a controls or mechanical engineer working on complex automated systems
- 7+ years of direct management experience leading engineering teams, including hiring and performance management
- Proven ability to integrate Robots, VFDs, and PLCs into high-volume or complex manufacturing lines
- Expertise in reliable safety systems compliant with ANSI/OSHA standards
- Strong analytical rigor and the ability to make sound judgment calls in ambiguous, fast-paced situations
- Experience managing external vendors and job shops for the production of custom hardware
Bonus points for:
- Experience in a Greenfield or Brownfield manufacturing startup environment
- Direct experience with Beckhoff (TwinCAT) or Siemens controls platforms
- Experience driving equipment acceptance tests (FAT & SAT) and developing detailed technical specifications
- Familiarity with thermal/mechanical design for superconducting magnets or similar electromechanical systems
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
#CFS-EX
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.
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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.
