Fusion Diagnostic Team Lead

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.

The SPARC Diagnostics Team is divided into four specialist teams to facilitate the deployment of diagnostics and the development and management of staff. This Team Lead position focuses on SPARC’s ionizing radiation diagnostics which are the tools that measure neutron, gamma, X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet emission from the plasma. This includes the measurement that will be used to achieve SPARC’s nearest milestone, to demonstrate Q > 1 in SPARC’s first operational campaign. This role will leverage this experience to support long-term planning for ionizing radiation diagnostics for ARC.

The Team Lead is expected to provide leadership to scientists and engineers as well as carry out some responsibilities of an individual contributor on an as needed basis. The role of the Team Lead will evolve with the SPARC project as diagnostics move from design to operation, but is envisioned to have the responsibilities listed below. Candidates will work as part of an integrated diagnostic team that includes MIT-PSFC partners and fusion community collaborators from around the world. Experience working on a tokamak or with fusion plasma diagnostics is not required and CFS welcomes applications from non-tokamak or non-fusion backgrounds that can help deliver SPARC’s diagnostic capabilities.

This team member will:

• Support and strengthen the ionizing radiation diagnostics team, presently consisting of the instrumentation leads, engineers and designers
• Provide leadership to ensure the team’s completion of the design, procurement and assembly of the SPARC’s ionizing radiation diagnostics (neutron, gamma, X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy).
• Identify paths to reduce the complexity in SPARC diagnostics through shared design solutions or re-evaluation of potentially conservative requirements
• Assist the Diagnostic Team Lead in managing scope, budget, schedule and technical risk
• Manage space in the SPARC Diagnostic Labs and work with procurement to tailor QA/QC and inventory control to the specific needs of ionizing radiation diagnostics
• Help develop and review plans for integration of ionizing radiation diagnostics into SPARC’s real-time and day-to-day control systems
• Help to ensure the efficient operation and use of SPARC’s ionization radiation diagnostics to achieve SPARC’s scientific mission

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

• At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field (mechanical, aerospace, civil or nuclear), with advanced degrees improving the job execution
• Developed and delivered a scientific or industrial instrumentation that utilized ionizing radiation
• Understands the basics of ionizing radiation and relevant safety issues in order to ensure this concepts are embedded in design
• Prior experience with line management is not required, but candidates must demonstrate leadership experience, e.g. leading a team to accomplish a goal/mission or to deliver a product
• Ability to direct staff accomplishing complex tasks where a full understanding is not possible
• Experience responsibly managing a budget at or above the million dollar level

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, sitting for extended periods of time
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, ionizing radiation, vacuum/pressure and cryogenics
• Willing to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
• #LI-Onsite

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.