R&D Test 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 R&D Test Engineer

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 software engineering, or some combination thereof. This role in particular heavily emphasizes the mechanical design and construction of the test equipment. They 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, procurement, and SPARC teams to achieve their test campaigns. It is also the role of the test engineer to constantly push and challenge the requirements, risks, and test objectives that they are given to help 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.

• Own and retire technical risks by designing, analyzing, procuring, building, and commissioning test equipment utilizing your knowledge of physics, structures, instrumentation and controls, mechanical and electrical systems
• Develop test plans that effectively retire technical risks. Plans include appropriate instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain repeatable and reliable data
• Understand, challenge and maintain well-documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, and operations software
• Identify and mitigate safety hazards associated with test equipment and test plans
• Design safety into the system and produce safety documentation such as job hazard assessments and test readiness reviews
• Design experiment campaigns that match our fast pace and work hard to maintain the proposed schedule
• Troubleshoot and resolve integration and test discrepancies during build, commissioning and operation
• Support end users with troubleshooting and upgrades once the test stand is handed over
• Iterate on designs, equipment and operations for repeat tests to improve test efficiency
• Create physics/mechanical models to predict results. Develop custom tools to analyze generated data.
• Compile test results clearly for review
• Lead anomaly investigations and their resolution (root cause analysis), and present results to a team of physicists and engineers
• Execute plans for future expansion, including capital equipment and floor layouts, always having a vision for scalability of systems into a larger context.
• Provide visions for multi-use test infrastructure that can be scaled for multiple applications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar applied physics degree
• 5+ years experience designing/building/commissioning specialized test or industrial equipment with hands on experience and a proven ability to deliver reliable data
• 5+ years using CAD software (NX is a plus) to design complex assemblies, producing drawings for procurement, GD&T and tolerance stack-ups
• 5+ years experience with analysis of mechanical components (Finite Element Analysis), strength of materials and failure criteria
• Excellent troubleshooting/problem-solving skills with an ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems
• The ability to effectively communicate technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• The ability to challenge requirements and defend results when needed, as well as the ability to accept feedback and apply it readily
• Proven collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems
• A solid grasp of basic mechanical engineering concepts such as fasteners design, welds and bolted joints
• A solid grasp of electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.
• Familiarity with superconducting magnets (Lorentz loads, magnet design, conductor design)
• Proactive with a focus on improving efficiency and throughput of processes
• High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly. A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn
• Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
• Experience with developing and executing complex test procedures, in particular tests that include multiple skill sets, different testing phases, and 3rd parties
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/overtime for testing

• 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-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.