The Role
Leads manufacturing engineering across multiple production sites, scaling HTS magnet component and assembly manufacturing from R&D through full production. Responsibilities include process development, automation, tooling, work instructions, capacity planning, factory expansion, Lean and quality system implementation, cross-functional execution, vendor management, and organizational leadership. The role manages managers and technical teams while driving manufacturing readiness, operational excellence, throughput, safety, and cost performance.
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.
The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering will be responsible for leading the manufacturing engineering organization across multiple production sites, including CFS1 and Fusionova, supporting the scale-up of advanced magnet component and assembly manufacturing from development through full-scale production. This leader is responsible for defining and executing the manufacturing engineering strategy across sites, developing high-performing teams and managers, and establishing scalable manufacturing systems to support aggressive production and operational goals.
They are responsible for developing and standardizing manufacturing techniques, scaling production capability, driving operational excellence, resolving complex manufacturing challenges, and partnering cross-functionally to ensure manufacturing readiness across all phases of production.
What you'll do:
- Lead and develop manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites, including managers, technical leads, and engineers
- Define and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy supporting production, quality, capacity, and cost objectives across CFS1 and Fusionova
- Establish standardized manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, work instructions, and operational best practices across facilities
- Own process development of the manufacturing line for HTS magnets from low-volume R&D builds through full-scale production
- Develop and qualify manufacturing techniques, automation strategies, process flows, and work instructions for superconducting magnet components and assemblies
- Drive transition from manual processes to scalable semi-automated and automated manufacturing systems
- Organize cross-functional project milestones and schedules to meet company strategic targets and production goals
- Communicate manufacturing risks, project status, resource requirements, and operational priorities to senior leadership
- Lead resolution of complex manufacturing discrepancies with a focus on continuous improvement, throughput, quality, and safety
- Develop manufacturing capacity models, staffing plans, factory layouts, and capital equipment roadmaps to support future factory expansion
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, and Design Engineering to improve production execution and manufacturing readiness
- Implement and standardize DFM (design for manufacturability), PFMEA (process failure mode and effects analysis), statistical process controls, and Lean manufacturing methodologies across sites
- Influence make-vs-buy decisions and manage relationships with external vendors and manufacturing partners
- Drive implementation of KPIs, operational metrics, and data-driven manufacturing decision making
- Build organizational capability through hiring, mentoring, coaching, and developing managers and technical leaders
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, urgency, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
What we're looking for:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field is required
- 10+ years’ experience as a manufacturing engineer supporting complex electro-mechanical systems
- 5+ years’ experience leading manufacturing engineering organizations, including experience managing managers
- Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams across multiple production lines, facilities, or sites
- Experience taking products from R&D into production, including development of scalable and automated manufacturing processes
- Strong background in process development, tooling, automation, production scale-up, and factory operations
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional organizations and drive execution in fast-paced technical environments
- Experience developing manufacturing strategies, staffing plans, capital roadmaps, and operational improvement initiatives
- Proficiency in work instruction writing, process mapping, capacity modeling, production planning, and manufacturing systems development
- High self-motivation and ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-growth environments with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
Bonus points for:
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field
- Experience with superconducting magnets, thermo-mechanical assemblies, machining, welding, and/or VPI (vacuum pressure impregnation)
- Experience with advanced manufacturing systems, factory expansion, and production system design
- Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies in production environments
- Experience implementing MES, ERP-integrated manufacturing systems, or digital manufacturing tools
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
- 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
- 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 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field
- 10+ years of experience as a manufacturing engineer supporting complex electro-mechanical systems
- 5+ years of experience leading manufacturing engineering organizations, including managing managers
- Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams across multiple production lines, facilities, or sites
- Experience transitioning products from R&D into production, including scalable and automated manufacturing processes
- Strong background in process development, tooling, automation, production scale-up, and factory operations
- Experience developing manufacturing strategies, staffing plans, capital roadmaps, and operational improvement initiatives
- Proficiency in work instruction writing, process mapping, capacity modeling, production planning, and manufacturing systems development
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-growth environments with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Master's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field
- Experience with superconducting magnets, thermo-mechanical assemblies, machining, welding, or VPI
- Experience with advanced manufacturing systems, factory expansion, and production system design
- Experience applying Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies in production environments
- Experience implementing MES, ERP-integrated manufacturing systems, or digital manufacturing tools
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and perform extended periods of typing, standing, stooping, and sitting
- Ability to work around industrial hazards including high voltage, high current, strong magnets, lead, cryogenics, fumes, noise, heat, cold, and pressure systems
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work nights, weekends, or on-call shifts
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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.
