Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

Fusion Energy Base; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation with equity

13 Company-wide holidays

Flexible vacation days

Sick days

Generous parental leave

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Professional growth opportunities

Team-building activities

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Senior Manager of Manufacturing Engineering in Somerville, MA. You will lead and develop manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites, overseeing HTS magnet production from R&D to scale-up and driving automation and Lean practices.

The role requires 10+ years in manufacturing engineering and 5+ years in leadership, with a strong background in process development, tooling, and production scale-up. Travel and on-site work are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related field 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites.
• Define and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy supporting production, quality, capacity, and cost objectives across facilities.
• Establish standardized manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, and work instructions.
• Own process development of the manufacturing line for HTS magnets from R&D to production.
• Drive transition from manual processes to semi-automated and automated systems.
• Organize cross-functional milestones and communicate risks and priorities to leadership.
• Develop capacity models, staffing plans, and capital roadmaps for future expansion.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Design Engineering to improve readiness.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Leadership

Cross-functional

Process development

Automation

Capacity planning

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Electrical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

DFM/PFMEA

Statistical process control

MES/ERP systems

Lean tools

Job description

Senior Manager, Manufacturing EngineeringSomerville, MACorporate Operations – Operations - Manufacturing /Full-time /On-site

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. If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

What you'll do:

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.

What we're looking for:

• 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

Bonus points for:

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

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

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

$150,000 - $225,000 a year Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.

Benefits include:

• 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

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.