Senior RF Antenna Engineer

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 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 over $2 billion in capital – more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S.

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 RF Antenna Engineer

SPARC will sustain fusion reactions by feeding >25MW of RF power into the tokamak to heat the plasma to 100 million Kelvin. We need an outstanding RF engineer to build the most powerful Ion Cyclotron Resonant Heating (ICRH) system in the world.

Your responsibilities will include modelling, integration, test, and troubleshooting of all elements of the SPARC RF antenna system.

For more information on the SPARC RF system, see the SPARC journal papers here:

SPARC Overview: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/article/overview-of-the-sparc-tokamak/DD3C44ECD26F5EACC554811764EF9FF0

Ion Cyclotron RF Heating Physics Basis: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/article/physics-basis-for-the-icrf-system-of-the-sparc-tokamak/22016DD64F3C5CAD47563A1E4AE59934

What you'll do:

• Integrate, test, and commission RF system components –Transmission lines, antennas, splitters/combiners, matching networks, diagnostic systems
• Develop testing and commissioning processes specific to RF components
• Troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing discrepancies with a focus on continuous improvement
• Design and integrate RF signal detection and measurement circuits that will interface with the control and data collection system of SPARC
• Contribute to the build and test of prototype ICRH antennas and components

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics
• 10+ years hands-on experience in RF system design, integration, and/or test
• RF circuit electrical design
• Extensive FEA RF/EM modelling experience (e.g. HFSS, CST, Comsol)
• Experience designing and commissioning antennas
• Experience designing and optimizing impedance matching circuits

Bonus points:

• Circuit layout design using programs like Altium
• Experience with Matlab and Python
• Experience working with Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) systems

Essential Requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or 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 travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• #LI-Hybrid

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.