Electrical Power System Team Lead

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

CFS is collaborating with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with new groundbreaking high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. 

The mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. 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. 

If you are interested in joining our team, check out cfs.energy/careers for more information.

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.

Our goal is to deploy thousands of fusion power plants around the world. We need an expert power system leader for our first fusion device, SPARC. 

In this role you will be responsible for the design, construction, and commissioning of the electrical system for the SPARC facility. You will oversee the specification, procurement, and installation of vendor-furnished equipment, the modification of existing or repurposed equipment, and the construction and qualification of novel power conversion solutions. You will deliver a complete, integrated power system with subsystems spanning a breadth of specialties within electrical engineering. You will ensure appropriate protection, control, and monitoring interfaces are implemented. You will serve as a subject matter expert in coordination with other engineering disciplines in the overall design and operation of the SPARC tokamak. 

The SPARC power system is divided into two subsystems; the pulsed system and steady state system. Both subsystems are under the purview of the selected candidate. The pulsed power system is responsible for driving the SPARC tokamak magnet system loads and providing dynamic control of plasma. It consists of a 700 MVA, 22 kV synchronous machine source, energy storage and approximately 1000 MVA of installed power conversion equipment serving 20+ individually controlled loads. The approximately 40 MVA steady state distribution includes cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, gas handling systems and assorted standard balance of plant loads. Your team will include 6-10 electrical engineers plus consultants and contractors. 

The ideal candidate for this role will have 15+ years’ experience with electrical power system development for industrial plants, power generation facilities, or large scientific facilities such as particle accelerators or fusion devices. Broad experience is desired; expertise in a combination of the following fields of electrical engineering is needed:

* Electric drives and power conversion equipment, both line-commutated and switch-mode converters.

* Energy storage solutions via mechanical means (flywheel) or static electrical means (supercapacitors).

* Electric machines, rotating equipment and auxiliary systems including excitation, cooling and sealing/lubrication.

* Medium Voltage AC distribution and DC distribution. Protective relaying and asset protection.

* Control of dynamical systems with demonstrated experience in electric power conversion. 

The selected candidate will demonstrate substantial experience delivering and integrating industrial power conversion equipment. Experience qualifying novel equipment for use in niche industrial and/or military applications is also desired. 

While the role requires heavy technical knowledge and ability, the principal function is managerial. The individual will have demonstrated success in building and managing a team of mid-level and senior engineers throughout the life of a complex project. The individual will prioritize work, allocate resources to generate deliverables, and review engineering products. The individual will manage the budget, vendors, consultants, equipment procurement, installation, and commissioning of installed systems. The individual will be capable of communicating technical content to a wide audience, coordinating design decisions with counterparts across the wider SPARC project, and directing a team of competent and motivated individuals.

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.