Development Engineering Tech I

R&D Engineer II - IIDevens, MAR&D - R&D Test / Full-time / Hybrid

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. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world.

Join the power movement as a R&D Engineer II. The NINT Magnet R&D team is responsible for testing and retiring risks for CFS’s NINT (non-insulated-non-twisted) HTS magnets. This includes executing development test campaigns for CFS’s next‑generation NINT magnet technology, and leading RCCA efforts through analysis and testing to resolve issues that may arise with the SPARC NINT magnets currently in production, tokamak integration, and commissioning. HTS magnet technology is inherently multidisciplinary, and a successful R&D engineer will seamlessly flex between disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting CFS’s mission. The R&D engineer must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids, and systems engineering, or some combination thereof. It is also the role of the R&D 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.

What you’ll do: Develop new HTS magnet designs and their associated subsystems, which includes the designing and building R&D test samples, and developing their manufacturing processes and test operations

Design, build, and commission test equipment required to accomplish R&D test campaign objectives

Perform structural, electrical, and/or thermal analyses in support of R&D sample design and to predict test results

Build expertise in testing HTS magnets as well as how to design and build R&D HTS magnets and their associated subsystems, including power delivery, cryogenic cooling, and structures

Support the production, integration, and commissioning of SPARC NINT coils as issues requiring HTS magnet build and test expertise arise

Understand, challenge, and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test, and align stakeholders on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the desired outcome to be achieved

Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop necessary instrumentation and data acquisition systems

Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, BOMs, data acquisition systems, and operations software

Develop custom tools to analyze generated data

Prepare and deliver presentations containing trade studies, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and test data reviews to teams of engineers and physicists

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred

3+ years’ experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing, building, commissioning complex electromechanical systems

Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples, voltage and current sensors, oscilloscopes, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, fittings and valves

Proficiency with CAD design in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software

Data reduction and analysis skills that can be used in generating anticipated results and processing generated data

Bonus points for: Experience with modeling/analysis software, especially ANSYS, COMSOL, and PLECS

Experience writing Python or MATLAB data tools for processing and analyzing data

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

Experience debugging electronics hardware and test software

Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities

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

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

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

Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call

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

$90,000 - $145,000 a year Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. Competitive compensation with equity

13 company-wide holidays

Flexible vacation days

Generous parental leave policy

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional growth opportunities

Team-building activities

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.