Manager, R&D Test Engineering

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.

CFS collaborates with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with groundbreaking new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. Our mission is to deploy these power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. To that end, CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. To implement this plan, we are looking to add dedicated people to the team who treat people well, improve our work by adding multifaceted perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have achieved outstanding results through a range of pursuits, and have skills and experience related to this role.

The role of the Manager of R&D Test Engineering is first and foremost to cultivate and develop R&D Test Engineers and grow them technically and professionally. This manager will organize and drive multiple test engineering projects across the Test Team scope and perform as a technical mentor for the test engineers on the team. They will be responsible for fully embedding their test engineers on the project teams and own the scope from initialization to completion of the project. They will ensure their team’s designs meet the requirements by overseeing the design and analysis process, and they will ensure the build, commissioning and testing is performed on a timeline that meets the overall project need.  They will be responsible for development testing, commissioning, first production article testing and conducting a smooth handoff for repeat tests after their tests/systems are operational. This person will be expected to carry an individual contributor workload in addition to setting and maintaining engineering standards for their team. They must work collaboratively across R&D, SPARC, ARC, manufacturing, procurement, and various project teams to achieve these goals.

• Manage test engineers and overall team workload to meet project deadlines
• Perform as the technical mentor for test engineers and a project lead as necessary to meet the unique project demands
• Bring seasoned, practical experience in test engineering in various applications
• Design components and systems for test stands that meet test objectives/requirements
• Challenge requirements as necessary to achieve simplicity in design
• Perform hand calculations and system level analyses demonstrating sufficient margin for equipment and personnel safety
• Oversee build and commissioning of fluid systems and coordinate engineers and technicians as necessary to safely bring systems to operational status
• Oversee system instrumentation and automation for safe operations
• Maintain accurate and clear documentation as systems they are responsible for change
• Expected to carry an individual contributor workload approximately 50% of the time

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or physics discipline
• 5+ years in an integration and test engineering role, or working with physical lab equipment 
• 5+ years of project team experience
• Strong engineering fundamentals in mechanical and electrical engineering
• Experience with designing equipment for testing superconducting magnets
• Experience developing requirements based on risk assessment
• Experience in specifying Instrumentation and data requirements
• Hands-on experience commissioning and troubleshooting
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic R&D environment

• 1+ years of management experience
• Experience using the following engineering tools: NX/Teamcenter, ANSYS, COMSOL
• Analysis using python or MATLAB
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as stooping, typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• #LI-Onsite

CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems.

At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis 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, ordinance, or regulation.