R&D Mechanical Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.

CFS collaborates with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with groundbreaking new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology.

HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost.

Our mission is to deploy these power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible.

To that end, 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.

To implement this plan, we are looking to add dedicated people to the team who treat people well, improve our work by adding multifaceted perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have achieved outstanding results through a range of pursuits, and have skills and experience related to this role.

The role of a Test Engineer is to seamlessly flex between multiple disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting Commonwealth Fusion System’s mission.

This engineer will be primarily responsible for testing and retiring risks for CFS’ HTS magnets.

They must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids and FEA, or some combination thereof.

This role heavily emphasizes the mechanical design and construction of the test equipment.

The role will be responsible for the design, build, and commissioning of equipment in support of development, qualification, and production test objectives.

They must work collaboratively across Manufacturing, R&D, and Procurement to achieve test campaign goals.

It is also the role of the mechanical engineer to challenge the requirements, risks, and test objectives that they are given with the goal of helping the combined stakeholders come to a consensus on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the outcome to be achieved.

This team member will:

Design, analyze, review, procure, and build test equipment. Including structures, fluid systems, pressure vessels, mechanical systems, and electro-mechanical systems

Work with Test Engineers to plan tests for achieving objectives, collecting key data needed and defining instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain this data. Ensure data is reliable

Understand, challenge, and maintain well-documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test

Identify and mitigate safety hazards associated with test equipment. Produce safety documentation such as job hazard assessments and test readiness reviews

Maintain documentation and schedule for projects responsible for. Documentation may include: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, and drawings

Perform any needed analysis to create successful designs. Analysis may include structural, thermal, or fluid. Analysis may be hand calcs or FEA, which ever is warranted. Support for complex analysis is available, however this role would work with analyst to define and approve results

Troubleshoot and resolve integration discrepancies during build, and commissioning of new designs

Iterate on designs, equipment, and operations to improve designs

Work within a team to achieve objectives. This includes regular scheduled reporting

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field is required; Mechanical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree

5+ years experience designing/building/commissioning mechanical/industrial equipment

5+ years using CAD software to design complex assemblies, producing drawings for procurement with a working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stackup

5+ years experience with analysis of mechanical components, strength of materials and failure criteria. Familiar with use of fasteners, analysis of welds, and bolted joints

Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.

Excellent troubleshooting/problem-solving skills with great attention to detail

Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences

High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly

A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn and/or teach junior engineers/techs

Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems

Ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems

Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods

Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/overtime

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

Experience with structural FEA software, especially ANSYS and COMSOL Experience using NX and Teamcenter

Experience with high field magnet testing traditional or superconducting

Experience with designing fluid systems – P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes.

Experience with cryogenic equipment design and use for liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium use – vacuum jacketed equipment, cryocoolers, phase separators, cold traps

Experience with high vacuum equipment design and use – roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, residual gas analyzers

Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use – power supplies, water cooled cables, insulation

Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs

Perform activities such as typing, stooping, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time

Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics

#LI-Hybrid

Full-time

CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems. At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis 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, ordinance, or regulation.