Principal R&D Instrumentation and Control 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 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.

The role of an I&C Engineer is to collaboratively develop, test, and deliver data acquisition, control hardware, a software suite and associated instrumentation. These systems will be used during 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 perform as a technical mentor for I&C engineers and test engineers on the team. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and SPARC teams to achieve these goals.

This team member will

• Work within a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and physicists
• Work with small engineering teams through the design, procurement, fabrication, commissioning, and demonstration of prototype engineering test stands and customer facing magnet products
• Perform as a technical expert, a project lead and people leader as necessary to meet the unique project demands
• Report on progress to the R&D Project Managers
• Design, build, and install industrial PLC equipment
• Research, install, and qualify sensors for the operation & measurement of wide rage subsystems and magnet products
• Document system-level wiring diagrams and test stand configuration
• Design and implement fast and creative solutions for small and short-lived projects and experiments.
• Implement open-/closed-loop and scheduled control schemes
• Implement system safety features including interlocks and fault-detection
• Data analysis with a focus on data integrity, quality, reliability and performance improvement
• Create custom solutions to improve manufacturability, yield, and reliability large magnet production style test stands
• Develop HMI/GUI software running on remote control workstations using visual software languages such as LabVIEW or Ignition
• Develop Real-Time software running on National Instruments DAQ systems such as CompactRIO, CompactDAQ, or other hardware
• Develop and build PLC programs for automated control and data capture of large test stands and systems
• Develop drivers for all analog and digital peripheral system components

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements

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

Additional preferred experience and/or qualifications

• 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
• Strong fundamentals with Python development.
• Experience with LabVIEW automation and development techniques.
• Experience with control systems for test applications including, PID, real time, etc.
• Experience with mechanical fixturing, including the design of mechanical elements in CAD software such as AutoCAD or NX
• Demonstrated expertise in the use of lab and test equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, high-capacity power supplies, spectrum analyzer, and logic analyzers
• Experience with Siemens and Beckhoff PLC hardware and software including TwinCAT  Experience successfully working closely with time series database & IT technologies
• Experience with remote communication including industrial automation protocols (e.g. Modbus, Profinet, Profibus, TCP/IP, RS-232, RS-485, GPIB, DAQmx, CompactDAQ, VISA, EtherCAT)
• Expertise in industrial instrumentation and data analysis
• Familiar with six-sigma manufacturing process improvement models and techniques
• 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

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.