Senior Systems Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous parental leave

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer (or Systems Engineer II) with a mechanical background to advance SPARC and ARC tokamak programs. You’ll apply systems engineering processes across subsystems, manage interfaces, run trade studies, and develop test plans throughout the development lifecycle.

This cross-disciplinary role collaborates with multiple stakeholders to validate the current mission and ensure integrated, reliable systems.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in Systems Engineering or related roles.
• Experience with large, integrated systems (fusion/energy/aerospace/defense).
• Strong communication with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Elicit and decompose system requirements and maintain traceability.
• Perform architecture trade studies for system interfaces and decisions.
• Coordinate interfaces between systems and interfacing systems.
• Develop test plans and evidence for verification/validation.

Skills

Years of experience

Systems thinking

Interface coordination

Trade studies

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or Physics

Tools

SysML

Requirements management

Test planning

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.

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

Join the power movement as a Senior Systems Engineer

CFS is currently looking for a Senior Systems Engineer or Systems Engineer II with a mechanical background, who will focus on implementation of Systems Engineering process and systems thinking to subsystems that form the core of the SPARC & ARC tokamaks. This role is inherently cross-disciplinary, and will require collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that systems are designed, integrated, and operated successfully. The Systems Engineer will be responsible for supporting a group of mechanical subsystems, working on activities throughout the development lifecycle, including requirements development, interface definition, trade studies, risk assessment and management, operational concept/control architecture development, test planning, etc. The ideal candidate for this role is comfortable with learning a variety of new technical topics and being proactive to apply that knowledge to ensure that tokamak system development and implementation is successful in validating the current SPARC mission and ARC programs.

Candidates interested in this role should have some related experience and interest in working with the following types of systems we are currently looking for support on:

• Both superconducting and non-superconducting magnet systems, or similar electromechanical systems, or:
• Complex mechanical systems subject to a variety of thermal, structural, and electrical requirements with multiple interfaces.

What you’ll do:

• Elicit, decompose, and establish traceability of system requirements in a requirements database
• Support requirements driven architecture trade studies for a system
• Coordinate, define, and control interfaces between systems and their interfacing systems
• Conduct trade studies to drive/coordinate technical decision making. Present proposals for decision closures to the appropriate level of management
• Conduct risk assessments on systems using failure modes analysis software and methods, and ensuring that risk mitigation plans are developed and implemented
• Manage changes affecting system technical baseline for impact to scope, schedule, cost, performance, or interfacing systems
• Support design review content development and the review of other design reviews for technical maturity, consistency, and accuracy
• Develop test plans for and document evidence against requirements verification and validation Develop requirement/risk informed testing and commissioning plans

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in Systems Engineering or other related engineering roles
• Experience working in the development of large, integrated and complex systems, preferably fusion, energy, aerospace, defense, transportation, etc.
• General knowledge of mechanical, electrical, I&C, and industrial concepts with the ability to learn and apply new technical concepts
• Strong, foundational knowledge of mechanical systems
• General knowledge of electrical engineering concepts
• Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills, with the ability to proactively engage and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience working in an environment where creative, proactive problem solving is required with a wide range of stakeholders

Bonus points for:

• Prior experience in superconducting magnet based systems development
• Hands on integration and testing experience while leveraging Verification & Validation life cycle methods
• General knowledge of tokamak and fusion plant engineering concepts
• General knowledge in any of the following areas: high and ultra-high vacuum, materials science, electrical insulation design for high voltage applications, thermo-structural analysis techniques
• Experience with multi-objective design optimization techniques, specifically applied to architectural design of complex systems
• Model Based Systems Engineering experience, specifically utilizing SysML based tools
• Experience with technology roadmapping and development for first of a kind systems and programs

Must-have Requirements:

• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or 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 travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally to support off site testing

$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. 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

#LI-Hybrid

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.