Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

Cfsenergy; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems seeks a Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering to lead the organization across multiple production sites, driving scale-up of HTS magnet manufacturing from development to full production. You will standardize processes, develop automation strategies, and partner across functions to ensure readiness and operational excellence.

You will build high-performing teams, establish capacity models, and guide capital roadmaps while advancing Lean, PFMEA, and DFM across

Qualifications

• Ten-plus years of manufacturing engineering experience in complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Five-plus years leading manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites.
• Experience taking products from R&D into production with scalable automation.
• Strong background in tooling, automation, production scale-up, and factory operations.
• Proven cross-functional leadership and execution in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites.
• Define and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy across sites.
• Standardize processes, tooling, work instructions, and best practices.
• Own process development for HTS magnets from R&D to full-scale production.
• Drive transitions to semi-automated and automated manufacturing systems.
• Develop capacity models, staffing plans, and capital equipment roadmaps.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, and Design Engineering to improve readiness.
• Implement DFM, PFMEA, SPC, and Lean principles across sites.
• Lead KPI development and data-driven manufacturing decisions.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Automation

Process development

Capacity modeling

DFM

PFMEA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations

Tools

MES

ERP-integrated manufacturing systems

Digital manufacturing tools

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.

The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering will be responsible for leading the manufacturing engineering organization across multiple production sites, including CFS1 and Fusionova, supporting the scale-up of advanced magnet component and assembly manufacturing from development through full-scale production. This leader is responsible for defining and executing the manufacturing engineering strategy across sites, developing high-performing teams and managers, and establishing scalable manufacturing systems to support aggressive production and operational goals.

They are responsible for developing and standardizing manufacturing techniques, scaling production capability, driving operational excellence, resolving complex manufacturing challenges, and partnering cross-functionally to ensure manufacturing readiness across all phases of production.

• Lead and develop manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites, including managers, technical leads, and engineers
• Define and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy supporting production, quality, capacity, and cost objectives across CFS1 and Fusionova
• Establish standardized manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, work instructions, and operational best practices across facilities
• Own process development of the manufacturing line for HTS magnets from low-volume R&D builds through full-scale production
• Develop and qualify manufacturing techniques, automation strategies, process flows, and work instructions for superconducting magnet components and assemblies
• Drive transition from manual processes to scalable semi-automated and automated manufacturing systems
• Organize cross-functional project milestones and schedules to meet company strategic targets and production goals
• Communicate manufacturing risks, project status, resource requirements, and operational priorities to senior leadership
• Lead resolution of complex manufacturing discrepancies with a focus on continuous improvement, throughput, quality, and safety
• Develop manufacturing capacity models, staffing plans, factory layouts, and capital equipment roadmaps to support future factory expansion
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, and Design Engineering to improve production execution and manufacturing readiness
• Implement and standardize DFM (design for manufacturability), PFMEA (process failure mode and effects analysis), statistical process controls, and Lean manufacturing methodologies across sites
• Influence make-vs-buy decisions and manage relationships with external vendors and manufacturing partners
• Drive implementation of KPIs, operational metrics, and data-driven manufacturing decision making
• Build organizational capability through hiring, mentoring, coaching, and developing managers and technical leaders
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, urgency, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field is required
• 10+ years’ experience as a manufacturing engineer supporting complex electro-mechanical systems
• 5+ years’ experience leading manufacturing engineering organizations, including experience managing managers
• Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams across multiple production lines, facilities, or sites
• Experience taking products from R&D into production, including development of scalable and automated manufacturing processes
• Strong background in process development, tooling, automation, production scale-up, and factory operations
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional organizations and drive execution in fast-paced technical environments
• Experience developing manufacturing strategies, staffing plans, capital roadmaps, and operational improvement initiatives
• Proficiency in work instruction writing, process mapping, capacity modeling, production planning, and manufacturing systems development
• High self-motivation and ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-growth environments with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field
• Experience with superconducting magnets, thermo-mechanical assemblies, machining, welding, and/or VPI (vacuum pressure impregnation)
• Experience with advanced manufacturing systems, factory expansion, and production system design
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies in production environments
• Experience implementing MES, ERP-integrated manufacturing systems, or digital manufacturing tools
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
• 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
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call

#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 ("Export Control Laws"). Any offer of employment will be contingent on the need for compliance with such Export Control Laws.