Head of Hardware Engineering - Tool Development

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 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 Head of Engineering

A new class of high-field superconducting magnets will enable the ARC tokamak to produce the first fusion energy connected to the grid. To execute this plan, we are now looking to add a Head of Engineering to our growing team in Milpitas, CA.

This individual will be responsible for helping lead the engineering team to design, build, and implement advanced R&D equipment. This equipment presents a host of challenges including large, robust, and ergonomic high-vacuum chambers; components operating under extreme conditions such as high temperatures; large temperature gradients; complicated component manipulation; large pressure differentials; tight mechanical tolerances; and high uptimes. Applicants will have a strong track record of leading world-class engineering teams in the design and implementation of cutting-edge complex machinery. 

What you'll do:

• Work within a multi-disciplinary, world-class team of top scientists and engineers to provide technical programmatic leadership by supporting staffing plans, hiring plans, and training plans

• Provide strong leadership skills to deliver complex, next-generation machinery on time and to budget

• Contribute to the technical design of complex machinery via strong mechanical engineering CAD and FEA abilities

• Report to the General Manager of the Superconductor Division and will:

• ➢    Define technical development needs, required personnel, and budget to execute on project deliverables

• ➢    Drive the project schedules, resource allocations, and spending

• Manage large complex engineering projects within tight budget and schedule constraints

• Anticipate bottlenecks, provide escalation management, anticipate and make trade-offs that balance the business needs vs. technical constraints

What we’re looking for:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field (e.g., mechanical engineering) preferred

• Experience with thin film deposition, ultra-high vacuum technologies, and high temperature processes

• Expertise with engineering complex systems operating in challenging environments

• 10+ years of experience leading world-class teams in fast-paced environments to design, procure, construct, and operate novel, next-generation complex machinery

• Demonstrated experience managing engineering design teams of 10 or more people including technical tasks, scheduling, and budgets

• Expertise with advanced 3D modeling, finite element analysis, and other simulation methodologies

• The ability to conceive novel solutions to challenging problems

• An exceptional safety record and attention to detail

Bonus points for:

• Experience with roll to roll systems and processes

Must-have Requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs

• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, 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

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

#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.