Controls Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

13 company holidays

Flexible vacation days

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Controls Engineer to own the full lifecycle of control systems for electro-mechanical equipment. You will troubleshoot production issues, lead design reviews, and contribute to system architectures while ensuring compliance with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards.

The role emphasizes hands-on fabrication, collaboration with vendors, and data-driven decision making to improve uptime and reliability. Travel may be required, and equity/benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required
• 4+ years' experience as controls engineer on electro-mechanical systems
• Proficiency in Structured Text and Ladder; working knowledge of IEC 61131-3 languages
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and judgment with senior engineers' support
• Knowledge of control-related safety systems and NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
• Hands-on fabrication or assembly skills and collaboration with vendors

Responsibilities

• Own the complete lifecycle from mounting to commissioning for equipment components
• Troubleshoot faults on production equipment and drive root-cause analysis
• Provide technical leadership and lead design reviews
• Contribute to system architectures and electrical schematics compliant with standards
• Write and debug PLC structured text with maintainable, reusable code
• Contribute to department policies and data-driven process improvements
• Raise concerns and present data-driven perspectives in group settings
• Coordinate with vendors to mitigate lead times and tolerances

Skills

Structured Text

Ladder

IEC 61131-3 languages

Troubleshooting

Problem-solving

Vendor collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Beckhoff

Siemens controls

Ignition SCADA

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

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 Controls Engineer

As a Controls Engineer, you are proficient in most or all core functions of your discipline, executing mid-to-long term assignments that are loosely defined. You operate with general guidance from management, increasingly taking independent ownership of developing execution approaches for equipment and process concepts.

You will generate work plans and define milestones for your own tasks, identifying and mitigating lower-risk items. You will provide technical leadership on short-term problems within your group's scope and lead formal design reviews with cross-functional teams.

What you’ll do:

• Independently own the complete lifecycle - physical mounting, pneumatic/electrical integration, and PLC I/O mapping through commissioning - for smaller equipment components and upgrades, handing off to Manufacturing Engineering
• Support production equipment on the floor - troubleshoot faults, restore uptime, and follow through with root-cause analysis and preventative fixes
• Provide technical leadership on short-term problems within your group's scope; lead formal design reviews with cross-functional teams (equipment/MEs)
• Contribute to system architectures and electrical schematics, applying and standardizing elements compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
• Write and debug PLC structured text with an emphasis on code that is organized, documented, maintainable, and reusable
• Contribute to department policies, tool development, and the characterization of automated processes using data-driven approaches like Cpk and Gage R&R
• Respectfully raise concerns and share data-driven perspectives in group settings to support the best path forward
• Identify and mitigate lower-risk items (e.g., lead times, part tolerances) by coordinating with standard vendors; escalates larger risks to management

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering field is required
• 4+ years' experience as controls engineer on electro-mechanical systems
• Proficiency in Structured Text and Ladder; working knowledge of other IEC 61131-3 languages
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and judgment on tasks and near-term project decisions, with review and support from senior engineers
• Working knowledge of control-related safety systems (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) and enclosure design compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
• A reliable and persistent work ethic, seeing tasks through to completion and staying determined in the face of uncertainty and failure
• Familiarity with manufacturing equipment and hands-on fabrication or assembly skills (e.g., rotating machinery, cable winding, soldering, pipe bending, or similar)
• Collaboration experience with job shops and external vendors
• High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• A value for design for manufacturability, serviceability, and simplicity over complexity

Bonus points for:

• Experience in Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
• Experience in Ignition SCADA systems
• Experience integrating equipment data into SCADA/data systems (e.g., IO-Link, MQTT)
• Machine Vision experience
• Greenfield or brownfield startup commissioning experience
• Expertise with CAD drafting, specifically AutoCAD Electrical

Must-have requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call

$90,000 - $145,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits.

The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with equity
• 13 Company-wide Holidays
• Flexible vacation days
• 10 sick days
• Generous parental leave policy
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional growth opportunities
• Team-building activities

#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.