Senior Controls Engineer

Tensec

Harvard (MA)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 185,000

Full time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation with equity

Flexible vacation days

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Tensec, located in Harvard, Massachusetts, is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the development of complex machine and process concepts. You will have the opportunity to work independently and mentor junior engineers while contributing to innovative projects in a rapidly advancing field.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and have over 7 years of experience working with complex electro-mechanical systems. This role offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

Qualifications

7+ years’ experience as controls engineer on complex electro-mechanical systems.
Experience with control reliable safety systems compliant with ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA.
Familiarity with rotating machinery and cable winding.

Responsibilities

Lead equipment conceptual development with product specifications.
Create and approve system architectures for manufacturing.
Mentor junior colleagues to support their professional growth.

Skills

Programming and troubleshooting automation controllers

Team collaboration

Problem-solving skills

Strong work ethic

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms

Ignition SCADA systems

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 have 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.

Senior Controls Engineer

As a Senior Controls Engineer, you are an expert in core functions and have a deep understanding of specific domains. You will take independent ownership of developing execution approaches for complex machine and process concepts, operating with little direction from management. You will generate detailed work plans, define milestones for complex work, and define processes that impact the broader department. You will act as a technical leader, providing expertise for long‑term assignments and mentoring junior engineering staff.

What you’ll do:

Lead the initial equipment conceptual development while balancing product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, and lead time limits
Provide technical leadership on medium to long‑term problems and provide expertise outside of the immediate group
Create and approve robust system architectures and electrical schematics (compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards) for manufacturing and test equipment
Write and debug PLC structured text with an emphasis on code that is organized, documented, maintainable, and reusable
Contribute to department policies, tool development, and the characterization of automated processes using data‑driven approaches like Cpk and Gage R&R
Respectfully challenge and influence cross‑functional peers to achieve alignment on the best path forward, leveraging data and rationale to support your point of view
Regularly help onboard peer employees and formally mentor junior colleagues to support their professional growth and skill development
Identify and mitigate low and medium risks while identifying larger risks and proposing solutions to management

What we’re looking for:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering field is required
7+ years’ experience as controls engineer on complex electro‑mechanical systems
Mastery of programming and troubleshooting automation controllers in all IEC 61131‑3 designated languages
Proven ability to apply sound reasoning and considerable judgment in ambiguous situations where decisions impact large portions of a project
Experience with control reliable safety systems (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) and enclosure design standards
A reliable and persistent work ethic, seeing tasks through to completion and staying determined in the face of uncertainty and failure
Familiarity with rotating machinery, cable winding, soldering, and/or pipe bending
Expertise in enclosure design compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
Collaboration experience with job shops and external vendors
High self‑motivation and drive to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills
A value for design for manufacturability, serviceability, and simplicity over complexity

Bonus points for:

Experience in Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
Experience in Ignition SCADA systems
Machine Vision experience
Greenfield or brownfield startup commissioning experience
Expertise with CAD drafting, specifically AutoCAD Electrical

Must‑have requirements:

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on‑call

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.

Salary

110,000 – 185,000 USD a year

Benefits