Staff Mechanical Engineer in Milpitas

Energy Jobline ZR; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

13 Company-wide Holidays

Flexible vacation days

Generous parental leave policy

Team-building activities

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems seeks a Staff Mechanical Engineer to join the R&D and equipment design team, advancing thin-film deposition technology.

You will design and implement advanced equipment, mentor staff, and collaborate with top scientists in a fast-paced environment, ensuring safe, reliable, and high-performance systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience with 8+ years in staff mechanical design or team lead.
• Ability to conceive novel solutions for complex engineering systems.
• Expertise with 3D modeling; SolidWorks and NX.
• Experience with COMSOL, ANSYS or other FEA tools.
• Ability to select and qualify vendors for components.
• Proven leadership in direct or matrix structures.
• Strong verbal and written communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of advanced R&D equipment for thin film processing.
• Lead design reviews for key mechanical subsystems.
• Generate and maintain interfaces with other engineering subsystems.
• Report on and be accountable for project progress to stakeholders.
• Work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team of top scientists and engineers.
• Mentor engineering staff for on-time & in-spec outcomes.
• Drive projects and consistently deliver with speed.

Skills

Staff leadership

Problem solving

Strong communication

Design intuition

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D modeling

SolidWorks

NX

COMSOL

ANSYS

Job description

Job DescriptionJob 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 Staff Mechanical Engineer

We’re looking for a Staff Mechanical Engineer to join our R&D and equipment design team to help build the next of thin-film deposition technology. The Staff Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for the design and implementation of advanced R&D equipment and complex machinery. This role requires strong technical expertise, procedural discipline, and the ability to collaborate across engineering and technology functions to ensure safe, reliable, and high-performance equipment. If you enjoy working on complex design problems, mentoring others, and solving problems in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

What you'll do:

• Lead the design and implementation of advanced R&D equipment for thin film processing, including ownership of key mechanical modules and sub-systems
• Lead design reviews for key mechanical subsystems
• Generate and maintain interfaces with other engineering subsystems
• Report on and be accountable for project progress to stakeholders
• Work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team of top scientists and engineers
• Mentor engineering staff for effectiveness and delivery of on-time & in-spec outcomes
• Get things done: drive projects, consistently deliver, act with speed

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (or equivalent industrial experience)
• 10+ years of experience with 8+ years of experience working as a staff mechanical design engineer or engineering team lead in a relevant context: design and implementation of R&D systems and manufacturing equipment
• Ability to conceive of novel solutions for complex engineering systems in challenging environments
• Expertise with 3D modeling; experience with SolidWorks and NX
• Experience with COMSOL, ANSYS or other FEA tools
• Ability to select and qualify vendors for components or subsystems
• Demonstrated ability to lead in either direct or matrix structures
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and a dedication to high-quality documentation

Bonus points for:

• Prior success building first-of-kind or experimental tools for material science or semiconductor R&D
• Familiarity in applying Semi-S8, ASME, ACI, ASTM, and other mechanical standards to design solutions
• Experience with the operation of equipment in a manufacturing environment

Must-have Requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally

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-Onsite

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 deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of , , , ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, , physical or mental , marital status, , , or expression, , 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.