Diagnostic Engineer @ Commonwealth Fusion Systems

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 design of the SPARC facility is continually advancing, including the design of instrumentation that will be used to control the plasma and deliver the scientific data necessary to inform the design of ARC. The SPARC Diagnostic system is comprised of over forty sub-systems that use a variety of proven techniques to encode information from a tokamak plasma into measurable signals; active laser-based measurements, passive and active analysis of microwave-band emission, spectroscopy of plasma emission from the X-ray to infrared, characterization of neutrons produced from fusion reactions, and a wide variety of wired sensors and probes integrated into the vacuum environment. Techniques have been demonstrated by decades of government-sponsored fusion research, and CFS is looking for multi-disciplinary engineers who can contribute to innovative design and engineering solutions to ensure these concepts can be integrated into the SPARC tokamak. Candidates that have a design, prototyping or analysis skills in the aerospace, mechanical, mechatronic or civil engineering disciplines are encouraged to apply. The SPARC Diagnostic team welcomes engineers looking for a career transition who want to join a team with diverse backgrounds and solve challenging problems in the growing fusion energy industry. Candidates will work alongside CFS staff, MIT-PSFC partners and fusion community collaborators from around the world to design and build the tools that will measure net energy from a tokamak for the first time.

This team member will:

Support the Diagnostic System Owners in the design of components by applying multi-discipline engineering and design skills to a variety of diagnostic design problems
Contribute to strong safety culture while helping to commission and operate SPARC diagnostics
Grow expertise that helps CFS build a core competency in fusion measurement tools that can deliver future tokamaks optimized for power production

Project areas can range over multiple topics including design, analysis and testing of:

Sensors inside the vacuum vessel and the integration of their cabling with high-density, custom electrical feedthroughs
Mirrors and vacuum windows for optical emission, microwaves and lasers
Piping and wiring components that can interface sensors and beamlines from the tokamak to the laboratory space, as well as the large structural supports for these systems
Support and interfacing structures for scientific measurement tools that use a ~375 m^2 dedicated laboratory space next to the SPARC tokamak
Radiation shielding to help increase lifetime of sensitive equipment

Scope and depth of required work is adjustable based on aptitude and experience but can cover:

Detailed component design and layout in CAD
Structural/thermal analysis
Developing and executing benchtop tests of prototypes at CFS facilities and external vendors
Development of assembly and installation procedures for SPARC diagnostics
Supporting the resolution technical issues that arise during the manufacturing of SPARC diagnostics
Providing hands-on support for diagnostic assembly and calibration, providing feedback on the impact of field changes during installation

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)
Demonstrated record of design of mechanical components used in analytical instrumentation, robotics, process control or aerospace systems
Experience with rapid prototyping and failure testing used to debug and improve designs
Familiarity with all steps in the design process with an emphasis on creativity and simplicity
Be self-motivated and exhibit excellent problem-solving skills

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

Experience with structural or thermal analysis
Experience with design using NX and Teamcenter for CAD and drawings
Familiarity in the design of metallic structures and weldments
Bias toward design for manufacture and experience working with vendors and fabricators to reduce cost and lead time
Design of platforms, enclosures or support structures for medium-sized, sensitive equipment
Experience with creation of piping and instrumentation diagrams
Attention to detail with an ability to pivot between topics multiple times per day
An ability to clearly express and critique ideas
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, and cryogenics
Willing to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
#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.

This team member will:

Project areas can range over multiple topics including design, analysis and testing of:

Scope and depth of required work is adjustable based on aptitude and experience but can cover:

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

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

6 month growth

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