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 the R&D 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’s HTS magnets and magnet components. In particular, this engineer will oversee the cable magnet test team LN2 lab where the magnet terminations for SPARC will be tested with currents exceeding 20 kA.  They must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials engineering, as well as familiarity with experimentation and data analysis. They will be responsible for the design, build, and commissioning of equipment and/or software 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.

This role requires onsite work 5 days per week.

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.

What you'll do:

• Develop and perform test procedures and processes balancing testing cadence with rigorous attention to data while maintaining a high level of safety

• Continually improve test instructions process to maximize test throughput and minimize rework

• Understand, challenge and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test

• Develop test plans highlighting the test objectives, key data that is needed and the instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain this data.

• Design, analyze, review, procure and build test equipment including structures, fluid systems, mechanical systems and electrical systems

• Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop the necessary I&C and data acquisition system

• Maintain documentation, schedule and a budget for the test campaign. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, data acquisition systems, and operations software

• Troubleshoot and resolve integration and test discrepancies during build, commissioning and operation

• Iterate on designs, equipment and operations for repeat tests to improve test efficiency

• Perform analyses for the system predicting results and develop custom tools to analyze generated data. Compile test results clearly for review

• Lead anomaly investigations and their resolution, 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

What we're looking for:

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

• 1+ years experience as a test engineer on complex electromechanical systems

• Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples, voltage taps, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, and solenoid valves

• Experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics hardware and test software

• Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.

• Excellent troubleshooting/problem-solving skills with great attention to detail

• Experience developing and effectively presenting comprehensive trade studies comparing the pros & cons of various technical approaches

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

• Strong desire to improve efficiency and throughput of processes as well as effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences

• High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly. A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn

• Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems

• Ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems and a willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods

• Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities & experience with developing and executing test procedures

• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/overtime

Bonus points for:

• Experience with analysis software, especially Python, Comsol and Ansys

• 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

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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

• 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.