Lead Piping Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, dental, and vision insurance

13 Company-wide holidays

Flexible vacation days

Generous parental leave

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC is seeking a Lead Piping Engineer to lead piping engineering functions, including pipe stress analysis, material specifications, and supports. You may perform tasks directly or lead a team of engineers and contractors.

The role requires delivering stress analyses, maintaining standards, and coordinating with engineers across disciplines to optimize piping layouts and ensure compliance with industry codes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or structural engineering from an accredited university.
• Minimum ten years of piping engineering experience including pipe stress analysis and material specifications.
• Strong knowledge of codes and standards (ASME B31.1, B31.3, MSS, API, NACE, ISO).
• Experience using pipe-stress software (AutoPIPE preferred; CAESAR II/ROHR/PEPS acceptable).
• Experience selecting materials for high-temperature, vacuum, corrosive environments, and pressure-containing systems.
• Ability to communicate with management, vendors, and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Establish and document pipe stress methodologies, standards, and best practices.
• Perform pipe stress analyses using AutoPIPE and evaluate piping systems under various loading conditions.
• Ensure piping designs comply with ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, and related standards.
• Coordinate with piping designers, engineers, and project teams to optimize layouts and supports.
• Develop and maintain the company’s pipe support catalog and documentation.
• Review vendor drawings, equipment data, and support details for compliance.

Skills

Pipe stress analysis

Piping design

Vendor coordination

Material selection

Engineering documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/structural engineering

Tools

AutoPIPE

CAESAR II

ROHR

PEPS

Navisworks

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 Lead Piping Engineer

As the Lead Piping Engineer, you will lead all piping engineering functions, including pipe stress analysis, piping standards and material specifications, and pipe support design. Depending on project needs and team structure, perform these engineering activities directly or provide technical leadership by overseeing, coordinating, and delegating work to the piping engineering team or contractors.

What you’ll do:

Pipe Stress Engineering

• Establish and document pipe stress methodologies, standards, and best practices
• Perform pipe stress analyses using industry-standard pipe stress software (e.g., AutoPIPE)
• Evaluate piping systems for sustained, thermal expansion, occasional, seismic, wind, and dynamic loading conditions
• Design and specify pipe support systems, including spring supports, restraints, guides, anchors, and hangers
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the company's standard pipe support catalog
• Prepare and maintain piping stress calculations, reports, design documentation, and supporting engineering records
• Ensure piping designs comply with applicable codes and standards, including ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, and other relevant industry standards
• Coordinate with piping designers, mechanical engineers, civil/structural engineers, equipment engineers, and project teams to optimize piping layouts and support configurations
• Evaluate equipment nozzle loads and ensure compliance with vendor allowable loads and applicable standards
• Perform fatigue assessment and analysis for piping systems and components subjected to cyclic operating conditions
• Conduct creep evaluations of piping systems operating within the creep temperature range to ensure long-term integrity over the plant's design life
• Perform dynamic and pulsation analyses of suction and discharge piping systems to verify operational reliability and compliance with design requirements
• Evaluate piping systems for vibration susceptibility and develop engineering solutions to mitigate vibration-related issues
• Collaborate with equipment vendors to integrate pulsation dampeners and ensure compatibility with piping system design and performance requirements
• Recommend design modifications to minimize piping stresses and improve system reliability and constructability
• Perform buckling calculations on vacuum piping systems
• Review vendor drawings, equipment data, and support details for compliance with project requirements

Pipe Specification and Material Engineering

• Develop, maintain, and standardize company-wide piping material specifications
• Establish material selection philosophies and engineering best practices
• Select piping materials based on process conditions, operating temperatures and pressures, corrosion, erosion, fluid compatibility, and applicable codes
• Prepare piping material specifications, valve specifications, specialty item specifications, and procurement documentation
• Ensure piping materials comply with applicable codes, standards, and project requirements, including ASME, ASTM, API, MSS, NACE, and other applicable industry standards
• Perform material compatibility and corrosion evaluations for process and utility piping systems
• Review, evaluate, and approve piping specification deviations and technical exceptions
• Support value engineering initiatives by evaluating alternative materials and products while maintaining compliance and reliability
• Support procurement activities

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Serve as technical authority for piping engineering within the organization
• Plan, prioritize, and coordinate pipe engineering resources to support project schedules, including staffing, resource forecasting, and workload planning
• Assign, oversee, and review work performed by internal engineers, contractors, and third-party engineering firms
• Ensure piping engineering deliverables are completed on schedule and meet company quality standards
• Participate in interdisciplinary design reviews, HAZOPs, constructability and design reviews
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to piping engineers and designers
• Interface with clients, equipment vendors, contractors, and regulatory agencies on piping engineering matters

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, structural engineering, or equivalent engineering program from an accredited four (4) year university or equivalent work experience
• Minimum ten (10) years of job-related experience in piping engineering, including pipe stress analysis and piping materials/specifications
• Strong knowledge of applicable codes and standards, including ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, MSS, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, ASTM, API, MSS, NACE, WRC-537, and ISO
• Experience using pipe stress analysis software, preferably AutoPIPE. Experience with CAESAR II, ROHR, or PEPS is also acceptable
• Experience selecting materials for high-temperature service, molten salt systems, cryogenic applications, vacuum piping systems, corrosive environments, and pressure-containing systems
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, including management, coworkers, vendors, and contractors
• Proficiency with standard computer applications, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, web browsers, and email applications
• Experience with Navisworks is preferred

Bonus points for:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain licensure
• Experience with Navisworks
• Experience with 3D plant design software (e.g., Plant 3D, SmartPlant, AVEVA E3D, or CADWorx)
• Experience in power generation, industrial process facilities, chemical processing, molten salt systems, or energy projects

Must-have Requirements:

• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, or 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
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally

$130,000 - $200,000 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 include:

• 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-Remote

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.