R&D Engineer - High Voltage

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.

Most fusion-relevant superconducting magnets undergo high voltage transients that must be designed and tested against—using protection schemes that must take high and poor vacuum effects into account (e.g. the Paschen effect). This role is aimed towards research and development of high voltage systems for superconducting magnets with a focus on the Paschen effect including the execution and development of test campaigns as well as leading RCCA efforts through analysis and testing to resolve issues that may arise with the SPARC / ARC magnets currently in production, tokamak integration, and commissioning.

Magnet technology is inherently multidisciplinary, and a successful R&D engineer will seamlessly flex between disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting CFS's mission. The R&D Engineer must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids and software engineering, or some combination thereof—with a focus on high voltage systems in vacuum. The R&D Engineer will be responsible for the design, build, and commissioning of equipment and/or software in support of development, qualification and production tests related to high voltage systems inside vacuum.

They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and SPARC teams to achieve their test campaigns. It is also the role of the R&D Engineer to constantly push and challenge the requirements, risks, and test objectives that they are provided to help the combined stakeholders come to a consensus on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the outcome to be achieved.

• Develop new high voltage system designs and their associated subsystems, which includes designing and building R&D test samples, and developing their manufacturing processes and test operations
• Design, build, and commission high voltage test equipment required to accomplish R&D test campaign objectives
• Perform structural, electrical, and/or thermal analyses in support of R&D sample design and to predict test results
• Build expertise in testing superconducting magnets under high voltage
• Support the production, test, integration, and commissioning of SPARC insulated coils
• Understand, challenge, and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test, and align stakeholders on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the desired outcome to be achieved
• Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop necessary instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Maintain documentation, schedules, and budgets for test campaigns. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, BOMs, data acquisition systems, job hazard analysis, test logs, and operations software
• Develop custom tools to analyze generated data. Compile test results in presentations for review
• Prepare and deliver presentations containing trade studies, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and test data reviews to teams of engineers and physicists

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred
• 2+ years’ experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing, building,…