Senior Supplier Development 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 Supplier Development Engineer

The Senior Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) will act as a technical liaison between the supplier and internal customers, such as engineering, quality, procurement, and program management. The SDE’s goal is to foster strong relationships with our suppliers, while best understanding which suppliers are struggling to achieve rate, hit certain quality requirements and provide consistent product.

What you'll do:

• Physically be on-site at vendors for long periods of time 
• Review and advise on engineering requirements for complex machined components and manufactured assemblies to guarantee quality without imposing unnecessary restrictions
• Be a Change Agent - identifying gaps in processes, articulating what needs to be done to close those gaps and holding vendors accountable with concrete timelines
• Timely resolution of schedule-critical, supplier-related challenges to ensure key milestones are met, without sacrificing quality
• Foster an environment focused on rapid execution while continually considering how to improve for future production at a much larger scale
• Inspect parts using different measurement tools and interpret inspection reports to communicate results to stakeholders of varying technical experience
• Implement required process controls and quality plans
• Support ISO 9001:2015 implementation
• Support creation of manufacturing instructions and Ops Sheets to guarantee quality critical characteristics
• Develop in-process inspection and test procedures
• Process capability studies and Measurement Systems Analysis
• Coach and collaborate, sharing lessons learned, with a cross-functional team of manufacturing, design, and operations engineers to establish a high-quality manufacturing line
• Drive cost reduction projects including planning, coordinating with stakeholders, estimating completion, and project updates
• Author contract documents with Legal. Manage contracts ensuring performance of the supplier to contract obligations. Understand interrelationships between contracts and terms while applying creativity and sound business reasoning to interpret application of contract to business needs.
• Establish preferred suppliers by category and confidently advocate for/against their use on future projects. Create and implement related management programs to develop, continuously improve, manage the performance of, and monitor KPIs of the supply base.
• Lead and mentor team members.
• Skillfully balance the price, delivery, quality, service, and value tradeoffs and rationalize the supply base 
• Adhere to all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials, intellectual property, and export compliance
• Negotiate internally and externally at high levels or with persons of influence frequently
• Provide technical guidance and support during the design and manufacturing phases, ensuring optimal production processes (i.e. DFM)

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (required)
• Master’s Degree is a plus
• Certifications preferred: Six Sigma Certification (Yellow, Green or Black)
• 6+ years of experience in Engineering or Supply Chain
• Equivalent project complexity, experience, and education will be considered
• Perform advanced technical activities such as Supplier Assessments & Audits, including Quality Management System (e.g., ISO 9001, AS 9100, IATF 16949)
• Perform advanced technical activities such as Product (e.g., Machining) and Special Process (e.g., Plating, Heat treat, Welding)
• Utilize specialized quality tools such PPAP (PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA) capacity analysis and Lean Six Sigma initiatives
• Specific knowledge regarding machine shop manufacturing
• Magnet manufacturing
• Ability to design, establish and implement supplier quality improvement processes and procedures
• Implementation and management of ERP or other procurement tools
• Ability to teach and educate others with little background on the subject
• Creative negotiating skills
• Experience with MS Office
• Exceptional communications skills
• Strong collaboration and relationship building skills with suppliers and cross-functional teams
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks while priorities are continually evolving
• Works with Integrity
• Strong Customer Service skills
• Remarkable analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Works well under pressure
• Possesses excellent judgment
• Familiarity with CAD 
• Working knowledge of GD&T
• Meticulously detailed and organized

Bonus points:

• Experience managing multiple levels of staff
• Experience in a start-up or high growth environment
• Experience in manufacturing environment
• Experience in Automotive or Aerospace

Essential Requirements:

• Perform extended activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc.
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call regularly
• 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
• #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.