Principal R&D Technical Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

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 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 nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private 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.

Join the power movement as a Principal R&D Technical Project Manager

This TPM will drive one or more projects in our advanced research and development division. This specialized role requires the application of proven project management best practices in the performance of projects that develop, test and deliver of complex, first of a kind, systems.

• Lead a cross-functional team (matrix) composed of engineers, designers, analysts, procurement specialists, and other stakeholders in the rapid development, evaluation and delivery of project results
• Deeply understand company objectives to influence and direct project team decisions to deliver solutions commensurate with those company objectives
• Act as the primary technical liaison with the executive team, internal engineering teams, and external project management
• Develop comprehensive project plans, outlining and managing project scope, goals, deliverables, resources, and timeline to meet strategic targets
• Support resolution of schedule conflicts
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture to drive project execution and achieve collective goals
• Monitor project timelines rigorously, identifying potential delays, devising, and implementing mitigation strategies to maintain project schedule

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field
• 20+ years of experience, with a minimum of 10 years, of managing teams in the development, delivery and/or sustainment of first of their kind products
• Strong communication skills as applied to leading teams - setting requirements and expectations, establishing strategy
• Proven project management experience including requirements definition, scope management, planning, scheduling, risk management, budget management, stakeholder management and communications management
• Experience acting as the primary technical liaison with the executive team, internal engineering teams, and external suppliers
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and the ability to mobilize multi-disciplinary teams to address complex issues
• Proven ability to drive a team to deliver on their commitments while functioning as a collaborative team member and a servant leader
• Proficient in driving decision-making and execution with available resources
• Capable of leading strategic ideation and transitioning seamlessly to drive flawless operational execution
• Possesses excellent communication skills, adapting to various levels of technical proficiency to ensure comprehensive understanding among all stakeholders
• Experienced in resource management, tracking and planning in a matrixed organization

• Experience managing projects with Jira
• Experience with risk management
• Experience with strategy development
• Proven experience managing projects to budget and working with multi-functional teams
• Expertise in managing teams leveraging Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)
• Familiarity with navigating phase-gated engineering lifecycles
• Familiarity with cryogenics, high vacuum and/or power distribution

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• 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

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits .  The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Benefits include:

•  Competitive compensation with equity

•  12.5 Company-wide Holidays

•  Flexible vacation days

•  10 sick days

•  Generous parental leave policy

•  Health, dental, and vision insurance

•  401(k) with employer matching

•  Professional growth opportunities

•  Team-building activities

#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.