Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering — Vacuum Vessel

Commonwealth Fusion Systems; Harvard (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering to lead the design and delivery of the ARC vacuum vessel. You will manage a team of engineers, drive CAD to procurement, and coordinate cross-system interfaces within the ARC plant to optimize overall performance.

The role requires a strong background in large metallic structures, Structural analysis, and fabrication processes, with the ability to lead in a dynamic R&D environment and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience delivering large metallic structures and performing structural analysis.
• Background in fabrication of complex large structures and R&D settings.
• Knowledge of finite element analysis and fluid cooling of mechanical systems.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and locations.
• Bonus points for high-temperature system design experience (600C / 1100F).
• Must be able to travel occasionally and work nights/weekends/on-call; safety-focused.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers to plan and deliver the ARC vacuum vessel and connected systems.
• Oversee the full design lifecycle from concept CAD modeling to procurement and assembly.
• Interface vacuum vessel design with other ARC plant systems, coordinating with multiple teams.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership to solve complex design challenges and manage risks.
• Collaborate with supply chain and materials teams to identify suppliers for the vacuum vessel.
• Proactively manage schedule and budget to deliver a critical fusion plant component.
• Manage all aspects of the group’s talent, including hiring, training, and performance expectations.
• Promote resilience and grit to ensure timely completion despite technical hurdles.

Skills

Mechanical design

Project leadership

Systems integration

Multi-disciplinary work

Structural analysis

Fabrication knowledge

R&D in dynamic env

Adaptability

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Finite element analysis

CAD modeling

Fabrication processes

Job description

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems:

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

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.

Join the power movement as a Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering

CFS is looking for a creative, experienced mechanical engineering manager to lead the design and delivery of the ARC vacuum vessel. Commonwealth Fusion Systems is currently designing the ARC fusion power plant. Within the ARC plant, the ARC tokamak consists of many large mechanical structures that support the large loads and extreme conditions of the fusion plasma. One of the newest and most interconnected components in ARC will be the vacuum vessel, a hundred-ton mechanical structure that surrounds the fusion plasma. This structure must withstand extreme heat fluxes on the plasma-facing side and effectively remove this heat via flowing molten salt on the other side of the vessel. This vessel must also be replaceable via a remote handling system during regular plant maintenance cycles. Come lead the design of a critical portion of the world's first fusion power plant!

What you'll do:

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers to plan and deliver on the ARC vacuum vessel and connected systems
• Oversee the full design lifecycle, from initial concept and CAD modeling to hardware procurement and assembly
• Interface the design of the vacuum vessel with many other systems in the ARC plant, coordinating with other engineering teams to ensure the best overall design for the product
• Provide hands-on technical leadership to solve complex, multi-disciplinary design challenges and manage risks in new environments and with novel materials
• Work with the supply chain and materials and processing teams to identify and develop suppliers for the vacuum vessel
• Proactively manage schedule and budget to deliver a critical component to the ARC fusion power plant
• Manage all aspects of the group's talent, including hiring, training, and setting clear performance expectations
• Promote a culture of resilience and grit, ensuring the team consistently follows through on assignments despite technical hurdles

What we're looking for:

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related degree
• 10+ years experience in mechanical engineering or closely related fields
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary engineering project
• Experience designing and delivering large metallic structures
• Experience with structural analysis
• Experience with fabrication of complex large structures
• Experience working in dynamic R&D environments, including novel materials and locations
• Broad knowledge of engineering sufficient to interact with multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• Knowledge of finite element structural analysis
• Knowledge of fluid cooling of mechanical structures
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment

Bonus points for:

• Experience designing systems operating at high temperature (600C / 1100F)

Must-have requirements:

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

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.

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