Manager (m/w/d) Manufacturing Systems Engineering

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 we're 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 nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world.

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 Manager, Manufacturing Systems Engineering

The Manager of Manufacturing Systems Engineering is the strategic leader to develop and manage the digital architecture and integration of manufacturing systems and data, including SCADA, HMI, backend databases, and standards for manufacturing operations and production scaling. This person is the "architect" of the factory floor systems and ensures that the technology and processes used to build products are user-friendly, efficient, integrated, and reliable. Serving as the production team's technical advisor for system integrity and configuration management, this leader provides high-level coaching and expert insight to evaluate the impact of process updates, ensuring design intent and shop floor execution are synchronized into a single source of truth. This position also plays a key role in establishing standardized frameworks and facilitating robust data workflows to ensure that all production lines are using the same architecture so that production is scalable and resilient. This role acts as a critical interface between production leadership, equipment engineers (mechanical & controls), IT/OT system engineers, and the factory workers. This person will manage a team of SCADA/HMI engineers, backend software engineers, and manufacturing systems engineers responsible for the systems needed on the manufacturing floor.

What you'll do

• Hire, manage, and mentor a diverse team of engineers to develop and maintain manufacturing systems and their corresponding data
• Act as the bridge between high-level digital architecture and the day-to-day shop floor execution. Collaborate with production leadership, equipment engineers (mechanical & controls), IT/OT system engineers, manufacturing engineers, and technicians
• Partner with IT Business Solutions to translate production needs into PLM, ERP, and MES requirements
• Create and maintain the requirements and standards for production equipment architecture and data systems in line with international/industry standards
• Develop and implement the SCADA system for equipment communication and control
• Build and deploy backend pipelines and intuitive frontend interfaces for technicians to effectively operate production equipment
• Own the production-specific deployment, improvement, and maintenance of the company's MES (Manufacturing Execution System) including setting standards for work instructions, mBOMs, and traceability
• Create and maintain tools & dashboards that provide actionable insight into the production floor's operations including build rate metrics, labor utilization, work order and nonconformance statuses, and downtime tracking
• Contribute to equipment design reviews and ensure that all manufacturing systems comply with safety regulations and company standards
• Support the production team as needed with design and scoping of equipment as it relates to equipment data and digital systems
• Organize project milestones and schedule to meet strategic targets
• Communicate project status, risks, and resource requirements to the team & leadership
• Develop and run training programs with the production team for the adoption of manufacturing systems
• Perform regular 1:1s and annual performance reviews to support team growth and development

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science field is required
• 10+ years' experience in a manufacturing systems engineering role or adjacent field (manufacturing, controls, or applications engineering, etc.)
• 7+ years' experience troubleshooting and improving production systems
• Experience with large-scale manufacturing line design, construction, and commissioning
• Experience working with external vendors
• Ability to critically review engineering designs and ensure adherence to company design and development guidelines and SOPs
• Experience with developing and deploying control system architecture
• Solid understanding and demonstrated ability of implementing machine and process safety considerations
• Experience with developing and maintaining Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Strong leadership and project management skills working across a cross-functional team
• High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Industrial controls and automation integration best practices
• Industrial manufacturing equipment design best practices
• Proven understanding of BOMs, manufacturability, process design, process validation, assembly methods, design reviews and cost reduction methodologies
• A value for design for manufacturability, serviceability, and simplicity over complexity

Bonus points for

• 2+ years' experience in a people management & engineering leadership role
• Experience in Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
• Knowledge of NFPA-70E&79 regulations
• Experience in Ignition SCADA systems
• NX & Teamcenter experience

Must-have requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call

$110,000 - $185,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Benefits include:

• Competitive compensation with equity
• 13 Company-wide Holidays
• Flexible vacation days
• 10 sick days
• Generous parental leave policy
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional growth opportunities
• Team-building activities

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.

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.