Senior Controls Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion; Harvard (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Generous parental leave policy

13 holidays

Professional growth opportunities

Team-building activities

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to own execution approaches for complex machine concepts, with independent leadership and technical mentorship for a developing team.

You will define system architectures and PLC code, applying NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards, and collaborate across departments to deliver robust, data‑driven automation solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• 7+ years’ experience as controls engineer on electro‑mechanical systems.
• Mastery of programming and troubleshooting automation controllers in IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Experience with ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant safety systems and enclosure design standards.
• Willingness to travel or work nights/weekends/on‑call.

Responsibilities

• Lead initial equipment conceptual development balancing product specs, process control requirements, layout complexity, and lead time.
• Provide technical leadership on medium to long‑term problems beyond the immediate group.
• Create and approve robust system architectures and electrical schematics per NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards.
• Write and debug PLC structured text with maintainable, reusable code.
• Mentor junior staff and onboard peers to support professional growth.
• Identify and mitigate risks and propose solutions to management.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional peers to align on the best path forward.

Skills

Controls engineering

IEC 61131-3 languages

Safety systems

Enclosure design NFPA79/NEC/UL508A

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Beckhoff

Siemens

AutoCAD Electrical

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. 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.

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.

Salary

$110,000 - $185,000 a year

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Export Control Compliance

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.