Senior Systems Engineer

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.

CFS is currently looking for a Senior Systems Engineer, who will focus on implementation of Systems Engineering process and systems thinking to subsystems that form the core of the SPARC & ARC tokamaks, as well as to Diagnostic systems that analyze and interpret SPARC & ARC plasmas. This role is inherently cross-disciplinary, and will require collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that systems are designed, integrated, and operated successfully. The Senior Systems Engineer will be responsible for a group of subsystems, working on activities throughout the development lifecycle, including requirements development, interface definition, trade studies, risk assessment and management, operational concept/control architecture development, test planning, etc. The ideal candidate for this role is comfortable with learning a variety of new technical topics and being proactive to apply that knowledge to ensure that tokamak system development and implementation is successful in validating the current SPARC mission and future ARC programs.

Candidates interested in this role should have some related experience and interest in working with the following types of systems we are currently looking for support on:

● Both superconducting and non-superconducting magnet systems, or similar electromechanical systems, or:

● Complex mechanical systems subject to a variety of thermal, structural, and electrical requirements with multiple interfaces.

This team member will:

• Elicit, decompose, and establish traceability of system requirements in the IBM DOORS Next Gen database
• Coordinate, define, and control interfaces between tokamak systems and tokamak interfacing systems
• Conduct trade studies to drive/coordinate technical decision making. Present proposals for decision closures to the appropriate level of management
• Conduct risk assessments on tokamak systems using failure modes analysis software and methods, and ensuring that risk mitigation plans are developed and implemented
• Manage changes affecting tokamak system technical baseline for impact to scope, schedule, cost, performance, or interfacing systems
• Support design review content development and the review of other design reviews for technical maturity, consistency, and accuracy
• Develop test plans for and document evidence against requirements verification and validation
• Develop requirement/risk informed testing and commissioning plans
• Develop and manage model based systems engineering artifacts for multiple CFS programs using Cameo Enterprise Architecture

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

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in Systems Engineering or related roles with a Bachelor's Degree, or 6+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree
• Thorough understanding of and proficiency in Systems Engineering life cycle processes and how they are realistically implemented on fast paced projects
• Experience working in the development of large, integrated and complex systems, preferably fusion, energy, aerospace, defense, transportation, etc.
• General knowledge of mechanical, electrical, I&C, and industrial concepts with the ability to learn and apply new technical concepts
• Strong, foundational knowledge of electromechanical systems as well as wider mechanical and electrical engineering concepts
• Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills, with the ability to proactively engage and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience working in an environment where creative, proactive problem solving is required with a wide range of stakeholders

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

• Prior experience in superconducting magnet based systems development
• Hands on integration and testing experience while leveraging Verification & Validation life cycle methods ● General knowledge of tokamak and fusion plant engineering concepts
• General knowledge in any of the following areas: high and ultra-high vacuum, materials science, electrical insulation design for high voltage applications, thermo-structural analysis techniques.
• Experience with multi-objective design optimization techniques, specifically applied to architectural design of complex systems
• Model Based Systems Engineering experience, specifically utilizing SysML based tools
• Experience with technology roadmapping and development for first of a kind systems and programs
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, and 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
• Willing to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call to support off site testing
• #LI-Hybrid

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.