Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Develops high-temperature superconducting fusion magnets

Staff Process Engineer

Process EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeDevens, MA, USA$152k - $230k /yr

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline is required.
10+ years of relevant industrial process engineering experience, potentially fewer with a PhD, or equivalent demonstrated depth of experience.
Demonstrated deep domain expertise or broad expertise across domains, with the ability to independently own complex, semi-ambiguous work and seek support only when needed.
Strong command of chemical engineering fundamentals and a proven track record taking systems through a structured Front-End Loading or phase-gated development process.
Experience scaling loosely defined process requirements into commercial-scale equipment and facilities.
Deep expertise developing core process engineering deliverables, including design bases, process flow diagrams, P&IDs, heat/material balances, and sizing/selecting industrial process equipment.
Hands-on experience commissioning, operating, and troubleshooting physical equipment alongside operators, using field observations to diagnose performance.
Proficiency with process simulation tools such as EcoSim, Aspen HYSYS/Plus, and AVEVA, and extensive experience applying industry codes and standards such as ASME B31.3, ASME BPVC Section VIII, and API 520/521 to establish process design boundaries, fluid service classifications, operating envelopes, and relief/depressurization cases.
Strong background in process safety, hazard identification and risk analysis such as HAZOP, and relief system design.
Experience integrating cross-functional engineering disciplines and working directly with vendors, engineering, procurement, and construction organizations, or construction contractors.
Ability to independently manage medium risks, drive solutions for larger project risks, and exercise sound engineering judgment to ensure practical, commercially viable designs.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, and sitting for extended periods.
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights, weekends, or on-call, including occasional travel to suppliers, contractors, or operating facilities.
Willingness and ability to work hands-on in industrial, construction, commissioning, and operating environments.
Dedication to safety when working around hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, vacuum systems, hazardous materials, and cryogenics.
Compliance with U.S. laws concerning export-controlled or protected technologies or information is required; any employment offer is contingent on such compliance.

Responsibilities

Own the process engineering scope for complex systems with loosely defined outcomes, guiding them from early concept through operation with near-complete independence.
Translate fundamental engineering requirements into commercially viable systems and develop process design bases, operating envelopes, process flow diagrams, heat/material and utility balances, P&IDs, and process datasheets.
Apply chemical engineering fundamentals, including thermodynamics, phase equilibrium, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, separations, and process control, to resolve technical challenges and define operating boundaries.
Develop steady-state and dynamic process models using engineering analysis to guide process design, system architecture, and equipment selection.
Size, specify, and evaluate process equipment, working with suppliers, fabricators, and multidisciplinary teams to assess performance, safety, and cost tradeoffs.
Drive engineering through a phase-gated design process, progressively maturing systems from conceptual design to engineering definition.
Lead process safety activities, including HAZOPs, design reviews, and relief/depressurization studies, and develop control philosophies and interlocks with controls engineers.
Support field execution by generating detailed work and commissioning plans, test procedures, and start-up strategies, and participate in system commissioning and performance testing.
Troubleshoot operating equipment using first-principles engineering and field data, and translate lessons learned into process improvements, tools, and department policies.
Provide technical leadership, manage medium-to-large project risks by driving solutions, and mentor less-experienced engineers on complex process engineering problems.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with large-scale cryogenic systems, particularly supercritical or liquid helium, and industrial high-vacuum systems.
Background in large-scale process facilities such as power generation, petrochemical, LNG, industrial gases, or nuclear.
Expertise in steam systems, molten salt systems, or industrial gas processing, including purification, separation, or fueling.
Experience with large-scale utilities such as cooling water, chilled water, compressed/instrument air, or nitrogen.
Track record of scaling first-of-a-kind technologies from pilot or demonstration scale to commercial operation.
Experience with dynamic process simulation and consequence analysis.
Licensed as a Professional Engineer.

Salary Range: 152000 to 230000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems:

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, suppliers, and many others to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised $4 billion of capital, making us the largest and leading 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 Staff Process Engineer

CFS is looking for a Staff Process Engineer with deep chemical engineering fundamentals and extensive experience scaling up, commissioning, and operating systems in large industrial facilities (e.g., power generation, LNG, petrochemicals, or cryogenics). You excel at navigating loosely-defined outcomes, translating fundamental requirements into practical industrial systems, and guiding complex designs from early concepts through Front-End Loading (FEL), detailed engineering, construction, and operation.

Fusion power plants bring together technologies that traditionally span multiple industries. At CFS, you will work across cryogenics (nitrogen and helium), power generation (steam), molten salts (FLiBe), fueling (deuterium-tritium), gas processing, vacuum systems, and utilities. Acting as a domain expert, you will apply real world, hands-on experience to build process design bases from scratch for ambiguous projects, develop heat and material balances, size equipment, own P&IDs, lead HAZOPs, support start-up, and troubleshoot operating systems.

What you'll do:

Own the process engineering scope for complex systems with loosely-defined outcomes, guiding them from early concept through operation with near complete independence
Translate fundamental engineering requirements into commercially viable systems, navigating semi-ambiguous challenges to develop process design bases, operating envelopes, PFDs, heat/material and utility balances, P&IDs, and process datasheets
Apply chemical engineering fundamentals (thermodynamics, phase equilibrium, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, separations, and process control) to resolve complex technical challenges and define operating boundaries
Develop steady-state and dynamic process models using engineering analysis to guide process design, system architecture, and equipment selection
Size, specify, and evaluate process equipment, working directly with suppliers, fabricators, and internal multidisciplinary teams to evaluate technical tradeoffs (performance, safety, cost)
Drive engineering through a phase-gated design process, progressively maturing systems from conceptual to engineering definition
Lead process safety activities, including HAZOPs, design reviews, and relief/depressurization studies, and develop control philosophies and interlocks in collaboration with controls engineers
Support field execution by generating detailed work and commissioning plans, test procedures, and start-up strategies, actively participating in system commissioning and performance testing
Troubleshoot operating equipment using first-principles engineering and field data, translating lessons learned into process improvements, new tools, and department policies
Provide technical leadership, manage medium-to-large project risks by driving solutions, and mentor less-experienced engineers on complex process engineering problems

What we're looking for:

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (or closely related discipline)
10+ years of relevant industrial process engineering experience (potentially fewer if a PhD), or equivalent demonstrated depth of experience
Demonstrated deep domain expertise (or broad expertise across domains) with a proven ability to independently own complex, semi-ambiguous work, seeking support only when needed
Strong command of chemical engineering fundamentals and a proven track record taking systems through a structured FEL or phase-gated development process
Experience scaling up loosely-defined process requirements into commercial-scale equipment and facilities
Deep expertise developing core process engineering deliverables (design bases, PFDs, P&IDs, heat/material balances) and sizing/selecting industrial process equipment
Hands-on experience commissioning, operating, and troubleshooting physical equipment alongside operators, using field observations to diagnose performance
Proficiency with process simulation tools (e.g., EcoSim, Aspen HYSYS/Plus, AVEVA) and extensive experience applying industry codes and standards (such as ASME B31.3,ASME BPVC Section VIII, API 520/521) to establish process design boundaries, fluid service classifications, operating envelopes, and relief/depressurization cases
Strong background in process safety, hazard identification and risk analysis (e.g., HAZOP), and relief system design
Experience integrating cross-functional engineering disciplines and working directly with vendors, EPC organizations, or construction contractors
Ability to independently manage medium risks, drive solutions for larger project risks, and exercise strong engineering judgment to ensure practical, commercially viable designs
Values that align with our company’s values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique

Bonus points for:

Experience with large-scale cryogenic systems (particularly supercritical or liquid helium) and industrial high-vacuum systems
Background in large-scale process facilities (power generation, petrochemical, LNG, industrial gases, nuclear)
Expertise in steam systems, molten salt systems, or industrial gas processing (purification, separation, fueling)
Experience with large-scale utilities (cooling water, chilled water, compressed/instrument air, nitrogen)
Track record of scaling first-of-a-kind technologies from pilot/demonstration scale to commercial operation
Experience with dynamic process simulation and consequence analysis
Licensed as a Professional Engineer

Must-have requirements:

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, and sitting for extended periods of time
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call, including occasional travel to suppliers, contractors, or operating facilities
Willingness and ability to work hands-on in industrial, construction, commissioning, and operating environments
Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, vacuum systems, hazardous materials, and cryogenics

#LI-Onsite

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.

About the Company

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Develops high-temperature superconducting fusion magnets

Commonwealth Fusion Systems builds fusion energy systems that aim to provide clean, affordable power. It designs tokamaks using high-temperature superconducting magnets to make smaller, less expensive machines. Its flagship SPARC is intended to produce net energy, with ARC envisioned as the first commercial fusion power plant. The company collaborates with MIT and focuses on a data-driven, mission-focused path to scalable fusion energy for large energy users.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $4B
Headquarters: Harvard, MA
Founded: 2018

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