Manager, R&D Test Engineering

Devens, MA
R&D – SPARC R&D /
Full-time /
On-site
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 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 over $2 billion in capital – more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S.

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 Manager, R&D Test Engineering

The role of the Manager of R&D Test Engineering is first and foremost to cultivate and develop R&D Test Engineers and grow them technically and professionally. This manager will organize and drive multiple test engineering projects across the Test Team scope and perform as a technical mentor for the test engineers on the team. They will be responsible for fully embedding their test engineers on the project teams and own the scope from initialization to completion of the project. They will ensure their team’s designs meet the requirements by overseeing the design and analysis process, and they will ensure the build, commissioning and testing is performed on a timeline that meets the overall project need.  They will be responsible for development testing, commissioning, first production article testing and conducting a smooth handoff for repeat tests after their tests/systems are operational. This person will be expected to carry an individual contributor workload in addition to setting and maintaining engineering standards for their team. They must work collaboratively across R&D, SPARC, ARC, manufacturing, procurement, and various project teams to achieve these goals.

What you'll do:

    • Manage test engineers and overall team workload to meet project deadlines
    • Perform as the technical mentor for test engineers and a project lead as necessary to meet the unique project demands
    • Bring seasoned, practical experience in test engineering in various applications
    • Design components and systems for test stands that meet test objectives/requirements
    • Challenge requirements as necessary to achieve simplicity in design
    • Perform hand calculations and system level analyses demonstrating sufficient margin for equipment and personnel safety
    • Oversee build and commissioning of fluid systems and coordinate engineers and technicians as necessary to safely bring systems to operational status
    • Oversee system instrumentation and automation for safe operations
    • Maintain accurate and clear documentation as systems they are responsible for change
    • Expected to carry an individual contributor workload approximately 50% of the time

What we’re looking for:

    • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or physics discipline
    • 5+ years in an integration and test engineering role, or working with physical lab equipment 
    • 5+ years of project team experience
    • Strong engineering fundamentals in mechanical and electrical engineering
    • Experience with designing equipment for testing superconducting magnets
    • Experience developing requirements based on risk assessment
    • Experience in specifying Instrumentation and data requirements
    • Hands-on experience commissioning and troubleshooting
    • Working in a fast-paced, dynamic R&D environment

Bonus points:

    • 1+ years of management experience
    • Experience using the following engineering tools: NX/Teamcenter, ANSYS, COMSOL
    • Analysis using python or MATLAB

Essential Requirements:

    • Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
    • Perform activities such as stooping, typing, standing, or 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, and cryogenics
    • #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 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.