HTS R&D Engineer
Devens, MA
R&D – Materials /
Full-time /
On-site
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.
CFS collaborates with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with groundbreaking new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. Our mission is to deploy these power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. To that end, CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. To implement this plan, we are looking to add dedicated people to the team who treat people well, improve our work by adding multifaceted perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have achieved outstanding results through a range of pursuits, and have skills and experience related to this role.
The HTS R&D team at CFS is looking to hire an R&D Engineer to support the ongoing design, engineering, and delivery of the SPARC net energy tokamak being built in Devens, MA. The SPARC tokamak utilizes compact high field magnet technology made possible by recent strides in commercial production of high temperature superconducting materials. The operating conditions and manufacturing processes of high field fusion magnets subject the HTS to extreme environments including high magnetic fields, neutron fluxes produced by deuterium-tritium fusion, high heat loads, and high mechanical loads. Therefore the successful design and operation of fusion magnets requires detailed knowledge and characterization of the electromagnetic and materials properties of the HTS conductor in similar extremes. The HTS R&D engineer will interface with and support multiple stakeholders across CFS including manufacturing, engineering and design, supply chain, quality, and more. We are seeking an engineer with strong materials science and mechanical engineering fundamentals with previous experience working with putting high temperature superconductors into high field magnets.
This team member will:
- HTS testing and analysis including
- *Working with HTS testing team to increase the throughput of HTS testing for production tapes
- *Interfacing with the Quality and scientific software teams to improve efficiency of data processing and analysis of HTS measurement results
- *Planning and prioritizing HTS testing for R&D
- *Providing detailed instructions to HTS techs on how to prepare samples for HTS R&D tests, and for analyzing the data
- *Travel to other facilities and performing R&D tests at ultra-high magnetic fields and cryogenic environments
- Interface with the HTS manufacturing and production team regularly and ensure that our processes are compliant with HTS and design requirements
- Design instrumentation setups and experiments for HTS characterization in the relevant conditions required for high field magnets such as, but not limited to, heat treatment studies, radiation-induced effects, and the influence of strain on HTS performance
- Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and testing engineers and provide technical guidance relating to HTS
- Document and report on results of R&D experiments and communicate them to relevant stakeholders
- Work with ARC-design team to refine HTS requirements for ARC
The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:
- Master of Science or higher, or Bachelors degree + equivalent of 5 years of experience in a lab or research setting in one of the following or related fields: Physics, Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science
- 3+ years experience in testing Superconductor electromagnetic properties such as transport and magnetization measurements including the data processing and analysis of the results
- Design of Experiments and experimental setups and components
- Experience in communicating with a wide range of technical and non-technical audiences
- Experienced and comfortable working with cryogens such as Liquid Nitrogen and Liquid Helium
- Knowledge of the fundamentals of superconducting materials, particularly high temperature superconductors
- Proficiency with CAD software such as Siemens NX or equivalent
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Fundamental Materials Science knowledge
- Knowledge of electromagnetic fundamentals and their application to superconducting materials
- Good communication skills
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to clearly express and critique ideas
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and rapidly execute tasks and experiments
- Strong time management skills
- Ability to collaborate across multiple teams and stakeholders
Additional preferred experience and/or qualifications:
- Experience working with high field magnets
- Experience in preparing and characterizing REBCO using optical and electron microscopy tools
- Experience working with vacuum and cryo-cooled systems
- Experience communicating with technical teams at vendors and suppliers
- 1+ years experience working in a production environment
- Experience processing and analyzing large quantities of data and applying statistics
- Experience with programming instrumentation such as power supplies, nano voltmeters, and temperature controllers using LabView software
- Knowledge of fundamental statistical analysis
- Computational modeling with COMSOL or ANSYS
- Proficiency with sample preparation and use of optical and electron microscopes
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
- Perform activities such as typing, stooping, standing, sitting for extended periods of time, may need to operate in small confined places in odd locations
- Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
- #LI-Onsite
CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems.
At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis 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, ordinance, or regulation.
