Lead, Mechanical Engineering - Assembly Equipment

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 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 nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private 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 Lead, Mechanical Engineering - Assembly Equipment

The Lead, Mechanical Engineering - Assembly Equipment is a hands-on leader accountable for the design, fabrication, and performance of specialized assembly equipment and tooling. You will translate creative and technical visions into actionable engineering designs, removing barriers to lead your team through the development of high load and/or high-precision hardware for tokamak assembly. You are responsible for cascading the creative vision, establishing technical excellence, and ensuring your team delivers robust mechanical solutions to meet whatever challenges CFS throws your way.

For the next few years, the role will focus on the creation of a previously scoped set of remaining equipment required to complete the SPARC assembly process. These pieces of equipment will range from quick designs for simple fixturing to multi month peer reviewed critical lifting structures. The role will require managing your team’s execution of all steps from requirements-based design ideation all the way through commissioning and testing. The role will also feature opportunities for individual contributor scope in the form of smaller design tasks, procurement efforts, and improved requirement and workflow definition. Following the completion of SPARC the role will involve guiding and working whatever projects this uniquely skilled labor force can tackle; from massive frames for ARC Magnets to Remote Maintenance equipment for SPARC & ARC.

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers to plan and deliver on near to medium-term objectives for custom equipment and specialized tooling
• Translate department-level strategy into actionable group objectives and manageable project timelines
• Define and optimize mechanical engineering workflows and internal standards to improve design quality and team efficiency
• Oversee the full design lifecycle, from initial concept and CAD modeling to hardware procurement and assembly
• Establish and reinforce best practices for mechanical design, including standards for drafting, GD&T, and design-for-manufacturability
• Manage all aspects of the group's talent, including hiring, training, and setting clear performance expectations
• Coach and mentor team members, actively contributing to their technical growth and professional career development
• Build relationships across the organization to influence design direction and resolve technical conflicts with stakeholders
• Oversight over fabrication of the tools at outside vendor shops, with guidance and troubleshooting to ensure the tool is built to the specifications required.
• Oversee correct specification and procurement of all purchased hardware required for the tools by your direct team, ensuring all purchases have been vetted for effectiveness and requirement adherence.
• Work with other tooling engineers, designers, and assembly package coordinators, as well as direct personnel performing the Tokamak Assembly during on-site work in the use of your tool and related assembly step.

• Civil, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering B.S.
• 5+ years of Mechanical Engineering Experience demonstrating project ownership and construction of metallic structures
• At least 5 years technical experience in the fabrication and integration of complex and large mechanical structures (e.g. aerospace, mechanical, chemical)
• Experience with standard actuation and guidance mechanisms and tools
• Experience with finite element analysis
• Lifting operations experience (>10 Tons)

• Civil, Structural, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering M.S
• 7+ years of Mechanical Engineering Experience demonstrating project ownership and construction of metallic structures.
• At least 5 years technical experience in the fabrication and integration of complex and large mechanical structures (e.g. aerospace, mechanical, chemical).
• 2+ years of leading engineers in similar scope and duration design and fabrication projects
• 4+ years experience with finite element analysis
• Lifting operations experience (>50 Tons), with additional complex handling (rotations)
• Experience with metrology, high-vacuum processes, leak checking, tool sourcing and development, NX
• Knowledge of welding and fabrication of large welded structures
• Knowledge of machining processes and best practices
• Knowledge of bolted joints and flanges  
• Knowledge of common methods of actuation and movement
• Finite-Element Analysis experience (ANSYS preferred)
• Creative and imaginative problem solving
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Safety conscious and proactive
• Ability to clearly express and critique ideas
• Aptitude to use data to drive decisions
• An emphasis on elegance and simplicity over complexity
• The ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, climbing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally for vendor visits during tool fabrication phases
• Required onsite 5 days/week when assembly operations with relevant tools are underway, with possible first or second shift assignment
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, 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.

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.