Senior Control Software Engineer

Cfsenergy; Harvard (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems in Massachusetts is seeking a Senior Control Software Engineer to design, implement, and verify software and controls for advanced R&D equipment and complex machinery.

You will be a hands‑on contributor delivering production‑quality code for mission‑critical real‑time systems while collecting functional requirements from customers and translating them into robust software solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Several years of experience with industrial or embedded control systems.
• Experience producing production-quality control software.
• Familiarity with Linux and industrial protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus).

Responsibilities

• Develop control software across PLCs and real-time Linux.
• Develop operator interfaces and workflows.
• Improve tooling to increase developer velocity and enable new capabilities.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate software into testbeds and production tools.
• Ensure safety and compliance with export control laws.

Skills

Python

Real-time language

Embedded systems

Industrial networking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCat

CI/CD

Git

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 Senior Control Software Engineer

As a Control Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, implementation, and verification of software and controls for advanced R&D equipment and complex machinery.

As a member of the Software Engineering team you will be a hands‑on technical contributor, a champion of writing excellent quality, production‑ready code for mission‑critical real‑time systems. You will collect functional requirements from customers and produce software solutions to meet these requirements.

You will work with a variety of engineers to integrate your software into software testbeds, hardware testbeds, and the production tools. You will also contribute to the broader software ecosystem to improve tooling and processes used across the company.

• Develop control software across multiple platforms, including PLCs and real‑time Linux
• Develop operator interfaces and workflows
• Improve software tooling to increase developer velocity and enable new capabilities
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field (computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, etc.)
• Several years of experience with industrial control systems and/or embedded control systems
• Several years of experience in producing production quality control software
• Working knowledge of modern software development lifecycle practices (CI/CD, git version control, unit testing, integration testing, etc)
• Proficiency with python
• Proficiency with at least one real‑time control language (c++, SCL/ST, rust, etc)
• Familiarity with industrial control platforms (e.g. Beckhoff TwinCat)
• Familiarity with Linux
• Experience with industrial protocols (e.g. EtherCat, Profinet, Modbus, etc)
• Familiarity with general networking (IP/UDP)
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc. 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, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on‑call

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.