Molten Salt Engineer

Cfsenergy; Harvard (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems seeks an entry-level Molten Salt Engineer to support experimental testing operations. You will execute SOPs, conduct routine materials testing, and maintain rigorous quality controls, with opportunities to lead projects in materials corrosion and blanket health monitoring as you gain experience.

Ideal candidates have a background in chemistry or chemical engineering and will join a team with a strong culture of teamwork, safety, and pragmatic risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field.
• 0-2 years of work experience.
• Experience with R&D work in a chemical or engineering laboratory.
• Experience working with safety systems for hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to learn new skills quickly.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, technical staff and others.
• Ability to clearly express and critique ideas.
• Great communication and organizational skills.
• Strong problem solving skills, ability to approach new problems with creativity.

Responsibilities

• Perform corrosion testing of novel materials in molten salts.
• Perform device testing in molten salts to obtain statistics on device performance.
• Design and build new test cells for molten salt R&D.
• Assist with lab maintenance and upkeep.
• Write and modify SOPs for safe handling of hazardous chemicals, including fluoride salts (FLiBe).

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree (Chemistry or related)

Tools

Python

MATLAB

CAD software

Lab equipment experience

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 Molten Salt Engineer

Salt chemistry is a critical driver of corrosion, hydrogen speciation, and material behavior under irradiation. As the Blanket System team scales up to larger systems, maintaining precise control over salt chemistry is vital. We are seeking an entry-level Molten Salt Engineer to support our experimental testing operations. Initially, you will focus on executing standard operating procedures (SOPs), conducting routine materials testing, and maintaining rigorous quality controls. As you build familiarity with our systems, your role will expand to include experimental design, test cell design and construction, and leading projects in materials corrosion and blanket health monitoring. Ideal candidates will have a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.

The Blanket System team has a strong culture of teamwork, supportive safety culture, and pragmatic risk management. We are looking for an engineer who will fit and actively contribute to this culture.

• Perform corrosion testing of novel materials in molten salts
• Perform device testing in molten salts to obtain statistics on device performance
• Design and build new test cells for molten salt R&D
• Assist with lab maintenance and upkeep
• Write and modify SOPs for safe handling of hazardous chemicals, including fluoride salts (FLiBe)

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field
• 0-2 years of work experience
• Experience with R&D work in a chemical or engineering laboratory
• Experience working with safety systems for hazardous chemicals
• Ability to learn new skills/subject matter quickly
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, technical staff and others
• Ability to clearly express and critique ideas
• Great communication and organizational skills
• Strong problem solving skills, ability to approach new problems with creativity

• High temperature chemistry
• Molten salts
• Electrochemistry
• Ceramics
• Python, MATLAB, or equivalent for data analysis
• Building and commissioning new laboratory equipment
• CAD software
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as sitting, typing, standing, stooping, or climbing 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

#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.