R&D Test Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

190

Devens, MA, United States

Posted on: 2025-02-07

Category: renewables

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Employment type:

Full time

Experience required:

Intermediate

Salary

Salary not provided

About the company:

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.

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 a 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’ HTS magnets. They must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids and software engineering, or some combination thereof. This role in particular heavily emphasizes the mechanical design and construction of the test equipment. They will be responsible for the design, build, and commissioning of equipment 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.

#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.

What you'll do:

Own and retire technical risks by designing, analyzing, procuring, building, and commissioning test equipment utilizing your knowledge of physics, structures, instrumentation and controls, mechanical and electrical systems

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

Develop test plans that effectively retire technical risks including defining appropriate instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain repeatable and reliable data

Identify and mitigate safety hazards associated with test equipment and test plans

Design safety into the system and produce safety documentation such as job hazard assessments

Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) prior to executing testing to ensure all test activities are both required and safe

Design experiment campaigns that match our fast pace and work hard to maintain the proposed schedule

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

Create analytical models based on first principles to predict test results

Compile test results clearly for review and effectively communicate technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences

What we’re looking for:

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

3+ years experience designing/building/commissioning specialized test or industrial equipment with hands on experience and a proven ability to deliver reliable data

3+ years using CAD software to design complex assemblies,

Proven understanding of mechanical loading, failure modes, and material strength including fasteners design and bolted joints

A solid grasp of electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc.

Excellent troubleshooting/problem-solving skills with an ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems

Proven collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems

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

Willingness to occasionally (<5% time) travel or work required nights/weekends/overtime for testing

Bonus points for:

Experience with structural FEA software, especially ANSYS and COMSOL

Experience using NX and Teamcenter

Experience with high field magnet testing traditional or superconducting

Experience with weld design / stress analysis

Experience with FEA analysis, bolt loading calculations, and failure criteria

Experience with commissioning new test facilities

Experience with designing fluid systems – P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes.

Experience with developing and executing complex test procedures, in particular tests that include multiple skill sets, different testing phases, and 3rd parties

Familiarity with superconducting magnets (Lorentz loads, magnet design, conductor design)

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

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

Full time

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

190

Full time

Renewables