Staff Engineer, Controls and Software

Commonwealth Fusion; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Flexible vacation days

13 company-wide holidays

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Staff Engineer, Controls and Software to design and commission machine control systems for industrial-scale equipment. You will develop architecture for PLCs, safety devices, HMIs, servo drives, and SCADA integration, from design through commissioning and validation, partnering with R&D and cross-functional teams.

You will implement robust control systems, write structured PLC code, and ensure safety and reliability while collaborating with external

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field (EE, mechatronics, software).
• Experience leading controls for complex mechanical systems.
• Proficiency with industrial control panels, 480VAC systems, fieldbus.
• Experience in IEC 611-3 languages and PLC programming.

Responsibilities

• Outline interfaces and requirements for equipment and software operation.
• Develop conceptual equipment designs balancing specs, cost, quality, lead time.
• Design and approve electrical schematics per NFPA79/NEC/UL508A.
• Create machine interactions with SCADA for status and variables.
• Write and debug PLC structured text with maintainable code.
• Implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant safety systems.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI design

AutoCAD Electrical

TwinCAT IDE

Python

GitHub

CI/CD

Safety compliance

Industrial automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE, mechatronics, or software

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

TwinCAT IDE

Ignition

Inductive Automation Ignition platform

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.

Join the power movement as Staff Engineer, Controls and Software

As a Staff Controls and Software Engineer, you will be responsible for developing machine and operational concepts in collaboration with R&D staff and engineering peers. You will create a robust system architecture to support all controls components such as PLCs, safety devices, HMIs, servo drives, and more. For each project you will work from initial design all the way through commissioning, operational fine‑tuning, and validation to ensure that all systems function reliably and meet their design goals. Additionally, you will work closely with cross‑functional teams throughout the entire life cycle of the equipment and its operation. You will work with simulation and test engineers to integrate your designs into software testbeds, hardware testbeds, and the tools.

What you’ll do

• Work closely with R&D team to outline interfaces and requirements for equipment and software operation for equipment control
• Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and balance product specifications, operational control requirements, layout complexity, cost, quality, and lead time limits
• Design, modify, and approve electrical schematics for industrial and test equipment (compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards)
• Create machine interactions with plant‑wide SCADA to communicate product acceptability, machine status, and operational variables
• Write, and debug PLC structured text with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable. PLC code will interact with subsystems and 3rd party equipment
• Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding industrial equipment
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens for complex machinery while providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting
• Debug and optimize automated operations to maximize cycle time, improve availability, and yield
• Work with external software contractors to develop the control systems for internal tools (Define requirements, manage priorities, drive testing and implementation plans)

What we’re looking for

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field (e.g., EE, mechatronics, software)
• 10+ years of experience as a controls engineer on complex mechanical systems – for example: design, construction, and operation of controls for industrial, large‑scale equipment
• Hands‑on experience with industrial control system implementation, including specifying, building, and commissioning industrial control panels, experience with 480VAC power systems, configuring industrial fieldbus’ and components
• Proficient in AutoCAD Electrical, for schematic and cable designs
• Familiar in structured text programming and the TwinCAT IDE
• Familiar with TwinSAFE safety PLC programming
• PLC programming experience in IEC 611:31‑3 languages
• Familiar with modern tools like GitHub and CI/CD release management
• Familiarity with PythonHMI design, implementation and maintenance
• Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform

Bonus points for

• Experience with Semiconductor Capital Equipment manufacturing
• Experience with enclosure design compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
• Experience developing and tuning control loops

Must‑have requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 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

$160,000 - $220,000 a year

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.