Senior Manager, Process Engineering

Senior Manager, Process Engineering

Location:

Milpitas, CA.

Employment type:

Full time, On site.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is a private fusion company dedicated to delivering the urgent transition to fusion energy through design and construction of commercially viable fusion power plants.

The Process Engineering Manager will be responsible for vacuum‑based processes, requiring deep knowledge of inorganic materials science. The role involves managing process engineers and technicians, developing unit processes, creating SOPs, and driving continuous improvement.

• Manage and develop stable, capable unit processes.
• Create SOPs and workflows, and provide training for staff.
• Manage a team of process engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with equipment engineering and integration engineering to drive continuous improvement and achieve technical milestones.
• Develop and use data management systems, including laboratory information management systems.

• M.S. in a technical field (materials science, electrical engineering, physics) or equivalent industrial experience.
• 10+ years of experience as a process engineer in thin film R&D and manufacturing.
• 5+ years of experience managing a team.
• Thorough understanding of process engineering concepts and inorganic materials science across a range of synthesis techniques.
• Regular user of designed experiments (DOE).
• Working knowledge of materials analysis tools (optical/electron microscopy, surface probes, NIR probes, x‑ray, transport measurements).
• Experience working with equipment vendors and directing vendor activity.
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced, startup environment.
• Ability to create work instructions and provide training.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and teamwork skills.

• Ph.D. preferred.
• Experience in semiconductor, battery, solar cell, optoelectronics or related fields.
• Experience working in a fabrication facility.
• Experience with JMP.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lb occasionally.
• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods.
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards such as heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics.
• Willingness to travel and work required nights, weekends, on‑call occasions, and compressed work‑week shift schedules.

Salary range: $150,000 - $225,000 per year, plus equity and benefits. Benefits include competitive compensation with equity, 13 company‑wide holidays, flexible vacation days, 10 sick days, generous parental leave, health/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) with employer matching, professional growth opportunities, and team‑building activities.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer, and 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.

Compliance with U.S. export control laws is required. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon compliance.