R&D Instrumentation and Control Engineer - Industrial Automation

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 Instrumentation and Control Engineer - Industrial Automation 

The role of an I&C Engineer - Industrial Automation is to collaboratively develop, test, and deliver data acquisition, control hardware, a software suite and associated instrumentation. These systems will be used during integration, development, qualification and production testing of CFS magnets and other critical SPARC components. This engineer will also work with multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technicians to produce instrumentation and control systems that generate reliable data in support of critical company missions. They will organize and drive a cohesive instrumentation and control program for R&D and perform as a technical mentor for I&C engineers and test engineers on the team. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and SPARC teams to achieve these goals.

What you'll do:

• Work within a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and physicists

• Collaborate with other I&C engineers, software engineers, & key stakeholders to build and install PLC frameworks, libraries, functions, & HMIs to achieve system requirements

• Design, document, build, and install industrial PLC equipment, harnessing, and cabinetry

• Research, install, and qualify sensors for the operation & measurement of wide rage subsystems and magnet products

• Document system-level wiring diagrams and test stand configuration

• Implement system safety features including interlocks and fault-detection

• Data analysis with a focus on data integrity, quality, reliability and performance improvement

• Create custom hardware & software solutions to improve manufacturability, yield, and reliability of large magnet production style test stands

• Utilize industry standard software best practices including Jira workflows, GitHub version control, peer code reviews, and unit testing

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics or another related engineering field

• 5 years experience designing and writing software for control systems, automation, robotics or similar

• The ability to succeed in a fast-paced and dynamic engineering environment

Bonus points for:

• Experience developing P&ID, electrical, and wiring schematics and diagrams, and then working with a team to translate these into a functioning system for the acquisition of decision quality data

• Familiar with industrial PLC cabinet schematic and layout tools such as AutoCAD Electrical or SkyCAD Electrical

• Experience assembling and troubleshooting electrical and mechanical hardware

• Experience with Siemens and Beckhoff PLC hardware and software including TwinCAT

• Experience successfully working closely with time series database & IT technologies

• Experience designing HMIs and SCADA, particularly with Ignition

• Industrial communication protocol experience (TCP/IP, UDP, Profinet, ProfiSAFE, Modbus, CAN, RS232, RS485).

• Proficiency with IEC 61131-3 languages, particularly Structed Text

• Experience with Software Lifecycle Management - QA, version control, testing, commissioning and validation

• Experience with C/C++, Python, Java, and other programming skills

• Experience with control systems for test applications including PIDs, state machines, real-time, sequencers, etc.

Must-have Requirements:

• 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.