CFS is currently looking for a Senior Systems Engineer or Systems Engineer II with a mechanical background, who will focus on implementation of Systems Engineering process and systems thinking to subsystems that form the core of the SPARC & ARC tokamaks. This role is inherently cross-disciplinary, and will require collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that systems are designed, integrated, and operated successfully. The Systems Engineer will be responsible for supporting a group of mechanical subsystems, working on activities throughout the development lifecycle, including requirements development, interface definition, trade studies, risk assessment and management, operational concept/control architecture development, test planning, etc. The ideal candidate for this role is comfortable with learning a variety of new technical topics and being proactive to apply that knowledge to ensure that tokamak system development and implementation is successful in validating the current SPARC mission and ARC programs.
Candidates interested in this role should have some related experience and interest in working with the following types of systems we are currently looking for support on:
- Both superconducting and non-superconducting magnet systems, or similar electromechanical systems, or:
- Complex mechanical systems subject to a variety of thermal, structural, and electrical requirements with multiple interfaces.
What you'll do:
- Elicit, decompose, and establish traceability of system requirements in a requirements database
- Support requirements driven architecture trade studies for a system
- Coordinate, define, and control interfaces between systems and their interfacing systems
- Conduct trade studies to drive/coordinate technical decision making. Present proposals for decision closures to the appropriate level of management
- Conduct risk assessments on systems using failure modes analysis software and methods, and
- ensuring that risk mitigation plans are developed and implemented
- Manage changes affecting system technical baseline for impact to scope, schedule, cost, performance, or interfacing systems
- Support design review content development and the review of other design reviews for technical maturity, consistency, and accuracy
- Develop test plans for and document evidence against requirements verification and validation Develop requirement/risk informed testing and commissioning plans
What we’re looking for:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- 7+ years of experience in Systems Engineering or other related engineering roles
- Experience working in the development of large, integrated and complex systems, preferably fusion, energy, aerospace, defense, transportation, etc.
- General knowledge of mechanical, electrical, I&C, and industrial concepts with the ability to learn and apply new technical concepts
- Strong, foundational knowledge of mechanical systems
- General knowledge of electrical engineering concepts
- Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills, with the ability to proactively engage and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders
- Experience working in an environment where creative, proactive problem solving is required with a wide range of stakeholders
Bonus points for:
- Prior experience in superconducting magnet based systems development
- Hands on integration and testing experience while leveraging Verification & Validation life cycle methods
- General knowledge of tokamak and fusion plant engineering concepts
- General knowledge in any of the following areas: high and ultra-high vacuum, materials science, electrical insulation design for high voltage applications, thermo-structural analysis techniques
- Experience with multi-objective design optimization techniques, specifically applied to architectural design of complex systems
- Model Based Systems Engineering experience, specifically utilizing SysML based tools
- Experience with technology roadmapping and development for first of a kind systems and programs
Must-have Requirements:
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, or 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 travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally to support off site testing
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- 7+ years of experience in systems engineering or related engineering roles
- Experience developing large, integrated, and complex systems
- General knowledge of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, and industrial concepts
- Strong foundational knowledge of mechanical systems
- General knowledge of electrical engineering concepts
- Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills
- Experience with proactive problem solving involving diverse stakeholders
- Ability to perform typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods
- Dedication to workplace safety involving heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
- Willingness to travel or work occasional nights, weekends, or on-call shifts for off-site testing
- Experience with superconducting magnet systems development
- Hands-on integration and testing experience using verification and validation methods
- Knowledge of tokamak and fusion plant engineering concepts
- Knowledge of vacuum systems, materials science, high-voltage electrical insulation, or thermo-structural analysis
- Experience with multi-objective design optimization for complex systems
- Model-Based Systems Engineering experience using SysML-based tools
- Experience with technology roadmapping for first-of-a-kind systems and programs
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.
