R&D Measurement & Automation Engineer

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 an R&D Measurement & Automation Engineer

The role of a Measurement and Automation Engineer is to collaboratively develop, test, and deliver data acquisition systems, control hardware, software suites, and associated instrumentation. These systems will be used during the integration, development, qualification, and production testing of CFS magnets and other critical SPARC components. This engineer will also work with multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technicians to produce instrumentation and control systems that generate reliable data in support of critical company missions. They will organize and drive a cohesive instrumentation and control program for R&D and serve as a technical mentor for I&C engineers and test engineers on the team. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, software, and SPARC teams to achieve these goals.

What you'll do

• Work within a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and physicists
• Collaborate with small engineering teams through the design, procurement, fabrication, commissioning, and demonstration of prototype engineering test stands and customer-facing magnet products
• Report on progress to the R&D Project Managers
• Design and implement fast and creative solutions for small and diverse projects and experiments
• Design, document, build, and install industrial PLC equipment, harnessing, and cabinetry
• Create custom solutions to improve manufacturability, yield, and reliability of large production-style magnet test stands
• Analyze data with a focus on data integrity, quality, reliability, and performance improvement
• Implement system safety features including interlocks and fault detection
• Develop HMI/GUI software running on remote control workstations using visual software languages such as LabVIEW or Ignition

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or another related engineering field with significant hands-on laboratory experience
• 5+ years in an integration or test engineering role, working with physical lab or industrial equipment
• 5+ years of experience designing, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics hardware and test software
• The ability to succeed in a fast-paced and dynamic engineering environment

Bonus points for

• Schematic capture, layout, construction, and installation of evaluation PCBs and harnesses
• Experience developing P&ID, electrical, and wiring schematics and diagrams, and then working with a team to translate these into a functioning system for the acquisition of decision-quality data
• Experience assembling and troubleshooting electrical and mechanical hardware
• Demonstrated expertise in the use of lab and test equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, high-capacity power supplies, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers
• Experience with C/C++, Python, Structured Text, and other programming languages
• Experience with LabVIEW automation and development techniques
• Experience with Beckhoff PLC hardware and software, including TwinCAT
• Experience with control systems for test applications, including PIDs, state machines, real-time systems, sequencers, etc.
• Experience with mechanical fixturing, including the design of mechanical elements in CAD software such as AutoCAD or NX
• Familiarity with industrial cabinet schematic and layout tools such as AutoCAD Electrical or SkyCAD Electrical
• Experience working with high-power, cryogenic, vacuum, fluids, and/or superconducting technologies
• Experience utilizing industry-standard software best practices, including Jira workflows, GitHub version control & peer code reviews

Must-have Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform extended activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc.
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call regularly
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics

$90,000 - $145,000 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.