Staff Electrical Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Equity

Parental leave

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead the electrical hardware authority for next-gen R&D tools. You’ll own end-to-end electrical design, focusing on 480VAC power distribution, sensor integration, and control panel architecture.

You’ll bridge high-power infrastructure with machine controls, working with software and mechanical teams to bring first-of-a-kind hardware to life.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Mechatronics; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of electrical engineering experience for complex industrial/R&D capital equipment.
• Expert in AutoCAD Electrical for schematics and wiring layouts.
• Deep knowledge of 480VAC 3-phase systems, SCCR, arc flash, and NFPA/NEC/UL 508A.
• Experience solving EMI/EMC, grounding, and noise in high-power tools.
• Working knowledge of IEC 61131-3, PLC hardware, and fieldbuses.

Responsibilities

• Lead Electrical System Architecture for complex R&D tools, incl. power distribution and safety systems.
• Design and draft schematics and panel layouts to NFPA 79/NEC standards.
• Integrate power supplies, drives, sensors, and safety relays with controls teams.
• Address EMI/EMC, grounding schemes, and signal integrity on high-power equipment.
• Oversee panel shops, BOMs, FAT, and installation on the tool floor.
• Support controls engineers with EtherCAT, fieldbuses, and basic PLC debugging.

Skills

AutoCAD Electrical

Electrical design

Power distribution

Code compliance

PLC hardware

EtherCAT

Fieldbuses

Schematic drafting

EMI/EMC

High-power systems

Grounding

Safety systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Mechatronics

Master’s preferred

Tools

Beckhoff

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Job description

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.

Join the power movement as a Staff Electrical Engineer

We are looking for a Staff Electrical Engineer to serve as the lead electrical hardware authority for our next-generation R&D and processing equipment. In this role, you will own the end-to-end electrical design of complex machinery—focusing heavily on 480VAC power distribution, electrical safety, signal integrity, sensor instrumentation, and control panel architecture.

You will bridge the gap between high-power electrical infrastructure and machine-level controls. While your primary mastery lies in electrical design, schematic capture, component selection, and shop-floor commissioning, your working knowledge of PLCs, fieldbuses, and industrial automation will allow you to seamlessly bring first-of-a-kind hardware to life alongside our software and mechanical teams.

What you’ll do:

• Lead Electrical System Architecture: Architect complete power and electrical hardware platforms for complex R&D tools, managing power distribution, low-voltage DC systems, cable harness design, and power conditioning. Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding industrial equipment
• Schematic Design & Drafting: Create, modify, and approve comprehensive electrical schematic packages (one-lines, multi-line, I/O diagrams, panel layouts, cable schedules) in AutoCAD Electrical per NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A standards
• Instrumentation & Sensor Integration: Sizing, specify, and integrate power supplies, circuit protection, VFDs, servo drives, safety relays, and precision sensors (thermocouples, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, flow meters)
• Signal Integrity & EMI/EMC Mitigation: Design robust grounding, shielding, and isolation schemes to protect sensitive analog/digital measurement signals in high-power, electrically noisy, and high-magnetic field environments
• Hardwired & Control Safety Systems: Implement ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA-compliant electrical safety circuits, interlocks, light curtains, and emergency stop systems to protect personnel and high-hazard industrial hardware
• Hardware Commissioning & I/O Checkout: Lead hands-on electrical testing, ring-out, power-up, and I/O validation on the tool floor using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and basic PLC diagnostics
• Controls & Software Support: Assist controls engineers in configuring EtherCAT/industrial fieldbuses, verifying drive parameters, and debugging basic PLC code (Structured Text/TwinCAT) or HMI screens during tool bring-up
• Vendor & Panel Shop Direction: Manage external panel build shops and electrical contractors; specify panel construction details, manage component BOMs, and lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)

What we’re looking for:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Mechatronics Engineering required (Master’s preferred)
• Experience: 10+ years of dedicated electrical engineering experience designing power distribution, electrical cabinets, and hardware architectures for complex industrial or R&D capital equipment
• Electrical Design Expertise: Expert proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical for full schematic generation, panel layouts, terminal block design, and wire harness documentation
• Power & Codes Mastery: Deep technical understanding of 480VAC 3-phase systems, transformer sizing, short-circuit current ratings (SCCR), arc flash safety, and industry codes (NFPA 79, NEC/NFPA 70, UL 508A)
• Grounding & Noise Control: Demonstrated experience solving EMI/EMC issues, noise coupling, and grounding challenges in complex electromechanical tools
• Controls Background (Secondary Skillset): Working knowledge of PLC hardware architectures (Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or Siemens), industrial fieldbuses (EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP), and safety PLCs (TwinSAFE)
• Diagnostic & Commissioning Skills: High proficiency in hands-on hardware troubleshooting, field wiring, and electrical fault isolation on the machine floor
• Semiconductor & Vacuum Equipment: Experience designing electrical hardware for semiconductor tools, high-vacuum systems, or high-temperature processing equipment.
• High-Current / High-Power Systems: Experience with high-current DC power supplies, magnetics, or cryogenic instrumentation.
• PLC Programming Capability: Ability to write and debug IEC 61131-3 Structured Text code or Python scripts for hardware testbeds.
• SCADA/HMI Familiarity: Exposure to Inductive Automation Ignition or custom operational interfaces.

Must-have requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally
• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, standing, sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics

$130,000 - $220,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits.

Benefits include:

• Competitive compensation with equity
• Generous parental leave policy
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional growth opportunities

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