Fiber Optic Specialist

Commonwealth Fusion; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 108,885,504 - 137,539,584; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems seeks a skilled fiber optics technician to handle, splice, test, and route thousands of fibers for the SPARC fusion machine. You’ll perform mechanical integration, add protective wrappings, and train others in proper installation and measurement procedures.

The role emphasizes safety improvements for laser and fiber handling, plus fulfilling manufacturing and R&D fiber needs. Strong lab experience and travel-ready availability are required.

Qualifications

• 4+ years experience in fiber optics field applications.
• Experience with attenuation, insertion loss, and spectral analysis measurements using OTDR/OSA/OBR/Power meter.
• Must have experience fiber handling in a lab setting with known standards.
• Willingness to travel or work nights/weekends/on-call occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Handle routing, splicing, testing of thousands of fibers in the SPARC fusion machine.
• Mechanically integrate small assemblies with fiber work, such as passthrough flanges and enclosures.
• Install composite or polymer wrappings for the fibers and their enclosures.
• Train technicians in proper installation, splicing, routing, and measurement procedures.
• Improve safety protocols for laser and fiber optic handling.
• Fulfill manufacturing and R&D fiber needs.

Skills

Fiber optics

Measurement experience

Lab fiber handling

Safety protocols

Communication

Attention to detail

Training technicians

Splicing techniques

Cryogen/vacuum fiber assemblies

Specialty fiber splicing

Tools

OTDR

OSA

OBR

Power meter

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 and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private 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.

What you'll do:

• Conduct the handling, routing, splicing, testing, and potential repair of 1000’s of fibers throughout the SPARC fusion machine
• Perform mechanical integration of small assemblies adjacent or in conjunction with the fiber work, such as passthrough flanges and enclosures for the fibers
• Install composite or polymer wrappings for the fibers and their enclosures
• Train other technicians as needed in the proper installation, splicing, routing, and measurement procedures
• Improve safety protocols for laser and fiber optic handling
• Fulfill manufacturing and R&D fiber needs

What we’re looking for:

• 4+ years experience in fiber optics field applications
• Experience with taking attenuation, insertion loss, and spectral analysis measurements using various measurement equipment (such as OTDR, OSA, OBR, power meter, etc.)
• Must have experience fiber handling in a lab setting with known standards

Bonus points for:

• 7+ years experience in fiber optics field applications
• Experience in utilizing distributed sensing arrays
• Experience with polyimide and a variety of coated fibers
• At least 1 year experience in teaching and/or training fiber splicing techniques and cable assemblies
• Experienced with designing, building, and testing fiber cable assemblies, particularly in cryogen and vacuum conditions
• Experience performing fiber optic work in environments with limited space or requiring odd positions.
• Skills:
  • Fiber coating removal
  • Fiber re-coating
  • Specialty fiber splicing
  • Fiber proof-testing
• Measurement and analysis techniques with optical tools and equipment such as interrogators, optical multiplexers, optical switches, fault locators, OTDR, etc.
• Knowledgeable about various optics sensing techniques and optical attenuation/insertion loss mechanisms
• Basic Materials Science knowledge
• Good communication skills
• Good attention to detail

Must-have Requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities:
  • Stooping, typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
  • May need to operate in small confined places in odd locations
  • Work locations could include being on platforms around 25 feet high
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally

$38 - $48 an hour

#CFS-NE

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