R&D Engineer II

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

$90K — $145K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, or applied physics preferred)
  • 3+ years as an R&D or test engineer for complex electromechanical systems
  • Experience with instrumentation such as thermocouples and strain gauges
  • Proficiency in CAD software, particularly Siemens NX
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic principles and concepts
  • Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills
  • Effective communication skills for diverse audiences

Responsibilities

  • Develop new designs for HTS magnets and subsystems, including test samples
  • Design and commission necessary test equipment for R&D objectives
  • Conduct structural, electrical, and thermal analyses for sample designs
  • Enhance knowledge in HTS magnet testing and related engineering fields
  • Support production and commissioning of SPARC NINT coils during issue resolution
  • Challenge documented requirements and risks while aligning with stakeholders
  • Collaborate with I&C engineers for instrumentation and data acquisition systems
  • Prepare and present comprehensive test results and trade studies

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation with equity
  • 13 company-wide holidays
  • Flexible vacation policy
  • 10 sick days
  • Generous parental leave
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Opportunities for professional growth
  • Team-building activities
Full Job Description
Join the power movement as a R&D Engineer II

The NINT Magnet R&D team is responsible for testing and retiring risks for CFS's NINT (non-insulated-non-twisted) HTS magnets. This includes executing development test campaigns for CFS's next-generation NINT magnet technology, and leading RCCA efforts through analysis and testing to resolve issues that may arise with the SPARC NINT magnets currently in production, tokamak integration, and commissioning. HTS 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 systems engineering, or some combination thereof. It is also the role of the R&D engineer to constantly push and challenge the requirements, risks, and test objectives that they are given 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.

What you'll do:

  • Develop new HTS magnet designs and their associated subsystems, which includes the designing and building R&D test samples, and developing their manufacturing processes and test operations
  • Design, build, and commission 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 HTS magnets as well as how to design and build R&D HTS magnets and their associated subsystems, including power delivery, cryogenic cooling, and structures
  • Support the production, integration, and commissioning of SPARC NINT coils as issues requiring HTS magnet build and test expertise arise
  • 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, 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


What we're looking for:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred
  • 3+ years' experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing, building, commissioning complex electromechanical systems
  • Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples, voltage and current sensors, oscilloscopes, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, fittings and valves
  • Experience with developing and executing test procedures
  • Proficiency with CAD design in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals - voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc
  • Excellent troubleshooting / problem-solving skills with great attention to detail
  • Experience developing and effectively presenting comprehensive trade studies comparing the pros & cons of various technical approaches
  • Data reduction and analysis skills that can be used in generating anticipated results and processing generated data
  • Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly
  • Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating production discourse on problems
  • Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods


Bonus points for:

  • Experience with modeling/analysis software, especially ANSYS, COMSOL, and PLECS
  • Experience writing Python or MATLAB data tools for processing and analyzing data
  • Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use - power supplies, water-cooled cables, insulation
  • Experience debugging electronics hardware and test software
  • Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
  • Experience designing fluid systems - P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes
  • Experience with cryogenic equipment design for use with liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium - vacuum jacketed equipment, cryocoolers, phase separators, cold traps
  • Experience with high vacuum equipment design and use - roughing pumps, turbopumps, ion gauges, residual gas analyzers
  • Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes and handing off processes to production teams


Must-have requirements:

  • Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
  • Perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping or sitting for extended periods of time
  • Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
  • 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


$90,000 - $145,000 a year

Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.

Benefits include:

Competitive compensation with equity

13 Company-wide Holidays

Flexible vacation days

10 sick days

Generous parental leave policy

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Professional growth opportunities

Team-building activities

#LI-Hybrid

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