Senior Shift Operations Engineer - SPARC

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

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems in Massachusetts seeks a Senior Shift Operations Engineer for the SPARC plant. You will oversee preparation, commissioning, and 24/7 operation of vital systems including electrical distribution, cooling water, HVAC, and cryogenic plants.

Responsibilities include troubleshooting, procedure development, maintenance planning, and staff training in a first-of-a-kind facility, partnering with engineering teams to ensure safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in operations at complex facilities.
• Experience in high-voltage and/or complex electrical environments.
• Experience with industrial scale process, cooling water and/or ventilation systems.
• Qualified in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) / Tagging Program.
• Strong engineering principles and problem-solving skills; analytical thinker.

Responsibilities

• Fully dedicated to continuous plant operation for 24/7 coverage, including 12-hour rotating shifts.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop and execute operating and commissioning procedures.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain commissioned plant systems.
• Maintain core plant systems: cooling water, compressed air, HVAC, cryogenics, electrical distribution.
• Coordinate and oversee field activities, ensuring safe, efficient execution.
• Develop standard operating procedures and safety compliance.
• Perform LOTO switching and tagging to support maintenance.
• Create maintenance plans for long-term reliability.
• Support training of operations staff.

Skills

Operations experience

High-voltage experience

Electrical environments

Cooling systems

LOTO experience

Engineering principles

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Adaptability

Fast learner

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

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’re in the best position to make it happen. 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 Shift Operations Engineer – SPARC

Reporting to the Manager of SPARC Plant Operations, the Senior Shift Operations Engineer is a foundational member of the team responsible for the preparation, commissioning, and 24/7 operation of the SPARC fusion facility. As an operator of the SPARC plant, you will ensure the reliability of critical infrastructure, including electrical distribution, cooling water, compressed air, HVAC, cryogenic cooling systems, and HTS magnets.

The Senior Shift Operations Engineer will also contribute to procedure development, commissioning, maintenance planning, work management, troubleshooting, testing, and training. This is a high-impact role requiring a self-motivated engineer who thrives in a dynamic, "first-of-a-kind" environment where troubleshooting and rigorous operational standards are the norms.

What you'll do:

• Fully dedicated to overall plant operation to ensure full time coverage of the operating facility. Working on flexible, rotating shift coverage including nights and weekends for 24/7 coverage, with up to 12-hour, rotating shifts (including days, nights, weekends, and holidays)
• Work hand in hand with engineering teams to develop and execute new operating and commissioning procedures for systems being designed, built, and commissioned
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain systems that have been commissioned and integrated to the plant
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain assigned core plant systems, including but not limited to cooling water, compressed air, HVAC, liquid nitrogen, industrial heating systems, vacuum systems, cryogenic plant, and electrical distribution
• Coordinate, oversee, and/or perform field work activities, ensuring safe and efficient execution
• Develop standard operating procedures and ensure compliance with established safety protocols
• Perform switching and tagging (LOTO) to support site maintenance and operations
• Create maintenance plans for new systems to ensure long-term reliability
• Support training efforts to prepare operations staff for safe and effective plant operations

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering or related field
• 7+ years in operations at complex facilities
• Experience in high-voltage and/or complex electrical environments
• Experience with industrial scale process, cooling water and/or ventilation systems
• Previously qualified in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) / Tagging Program
• Comprehensive understanding of engineering principles and theory of operation of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to adapt and excel in a constantly changing environment
• Demonstrated ability to learn new systems and concepts quickly

Bonus points for:

• Masters Degree in Engineering or related field
• Experience with operation of cryogenic process systems
• Experience working in radiologically controlled environments
• Experience with operation of high purity gas systems
• Experience with operation of high voltage or high current electrical systems
• Experience working with high power radio frequency systems
• Experience with industrial software controls integration and troubleshooting
• Strong background in Human Performance principles

Must-have Requirements:

• Perform extended activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc.
• Willingness to work flexible, rotating shift coverage including nights and weekends for 24/7 coverage, with up to 12-hour, rotating shifts (including days, nights, weekends, and holidays)
• 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

$110,000 - $185,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. 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.