R&D Engineer - Magnets

Cfsenergy; Harvard (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking an experienced R&D Engineer to join the NINT Magnet R&D team. You will test and iterate HTS magnet designs, develop subsystems, and lead test campaigns under aggressive schedules to support SPARC magnet production and tokamak integration.

The role requires a mechanical/electrical or related engineering background, 2+ years in R&D/test engineering, CAD proficiency, and hands‑on experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field required; mechanical or electrical engineering or applied physics preferred.
• 2+ years’ experience as an R&D or test engineer for complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience selecting instrumentation and control components and developing test procedures.
• Proficiency with Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software; strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop HTS magnet designs and subsystems, build test samples, and develop manufacturing and test processes.
• Design, build, and commission test equipment to meet R&D objectives.
• Perform structural, electrical, and thermal analyses to predict test results.
• Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Maintain documentation, schedules, and budgets for test campaigns and present results.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Test engineering

Electromechanical systems

Instrumentation & data acquisition

CAD design

Data analysis

Problem solving

Collaborative skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

PLECS

Siemens NX CAD

Python

MATLAB

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.

Join the power movement as a R&D Engineer

The NINT Magnet R&D team is responsible for testing and retiring risks for CFS's NINT (non‑insulated‑non‑twisted) HTS magnets. This includes executing development test campaigns for CFS's next‑generation NINT magnet technology, and leading RCCA efforts through analysis and testing to resolve issues that may arise with the SPARC NINT magnets currently in production, tokamak integration, and commissioning. HTS magnet technology is inherently multidisciplinary, and a successful R&D engineer will seamlessly flex between disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting CFS's mission. The R&D engineer must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids, and systems engineering, or some combination thereof. It is also the role of the R&D engineer to constantly push and challenge the requirements, risks, and test objectives that they are given to help the combined stakeholders come to a consensus on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the outcome to be achieved.

Responsibilities

• Develop new HTS magnet designs and their associated subsystems, which includes designing and building R&D test samples, and developing their manufacturing processes and test operations
• Design, build, and commission test equipment required to accomplish R&D test campaign objectives
• Perform structural, electrical, and/or thermal analyses in support of R&D sample design and to predict test results
• Build expertise in testing HTS magnets as well as how to design and build R&D HTS magnets and their associated subsystems, including power delivery, cryogenic cooling, and structures
• Support the production, integration, and commissioning of SPARC NINT coils as issues requiring HTS magnet build and test expertise arise
• Understand, challenge, and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test, and align stakeholders on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the desired outcome to be achieved
• Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop necessary instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Maintain documentation, schedules, and budgets for test campaigns. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, BOMs, data acquisition systems, and operations software
• Develop custom tools to analyze generated data. Compile test results in presentations for review
• Prepare and deliver presentations containing trade studies, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and test data reviews to teams of engineers and physicists
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred
• 2+ years’ experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing, building, commissioning complex electromechanical systems
• Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples, voltage and current sensors, oscilloscopes, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, fittings and valves
• Experience with developing and executing test procedures
• Proficiency with CAD design in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software
• Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals – voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s law, AC/DC, right‑hand rule, solenoids, etc
• Excellent troubleshooting/problem‑solving skills with great attention to detail
• Experience developing and effectively presenting comprehensive trade studies comparing the pros & cons of various technical approaches
• Data reduction and analysis skills that can be used in generating anticipated results and processing generated data
• Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• High self‑motivation and drive to execute quickly
• Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating production discourse on problems
• Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods

Additional Experience

• Experience with modeling/analysis software, especially ANSYS, COMSOL, and PLECS
• Experience writing Python or MATLAB data tools for processing and analyzing data
• Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use – power supplies, water‑cooled cables, insulation
• Experience debugging electronics hardware and test software
• Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
• Experience designing fluid systems – P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes
• Experience with cryogenic equipment design for use with liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium – vacuum jacketed equipment, cryocoolers, phase separators, cold traps
• Experience with high vacuum equipment design and use – roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, residual gas analyzers
• Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes and handing off processes to production teams

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on‑call
• 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

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-Hybrid

EEO Statement

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.