Staff Fuel Cycle & Blanket Test Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

• $130K — $200K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related field with 10+ years of experience
  • Proven experience in R&D testing environments
  • Strong collaborative skills in laboratory settings with scientists and technicians
  • Rigorous data management skills, including report generation through programming
  • Proficient in writing clear lab reports and formal presentations
  • Detail-oriented with a strong focus on safety and organization
  • Experience with data analysis using programming languages like Python

Responsibilities

  • Develop commissioning and test plans for tritium and blanket program test stands
  • Design and build infrastructure for scaling research workflows
  • Ensure safety and cleanliness in test spaces
  • Conduct peer reviews of procedures, reports, and foundational documents
  • Lead the expansion of lab facilities within a team environment
  • Contribute to training programs that enhance team expertise
  • Operate and maintain gas handling and molten salt facility systems

Benefits

  • 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
Full Job Description
Join the power movement as a StaffFuel Cycle & Blanket Test Engineer

The Staff Fuel Cycle & Blanket Test Engineer will be a technical leader in the operation, testing, and maintenance of laboratory systems for fusion fuel cycle and molten salt technology development.

The staff fuel cycle and blanket test engineer will support the Tritium and Blanket program closely on executing its research program with integrated tests, building new capabilities, and leading the integration of highly complex capital plant projects that mature the technology readiness of tritium handling and blanket systems towards our first power plant. The Staff engineer may take on roles such as developing the concept of operations, test scopes, building lab functions, software and alarms, and data acquisition and report generation. Experience working in a high-stakes research or production environment with a collaborative, curious, safety-culture mindset is important to the success of the individual and team. This role will directly contribute to and lead major system test campaigns. As tests will go from start-up and commissioning to routine campaigns, the individual will need to use a continuous improvement mindset to progress work pragmatically and build on learnings.
The role requires someone who can work in a fast-paced and highly integrated test environment, leading the planning, coordination, execution, and report-out of testing. This role will work within the CFS fuel cycle and blanket technology group. Collaboration with leaders across the organization and blanket and tritium subject matter experts is expected in order to develop and refine tests.

What you'll do:

  • Developing commissioning and test plans for tritium and/or blanket program portfolio test stands
  • Designing and building infrastructure, both physical and documentation, to enable scaling research and production workflows
  • Supporting day-to-day needs in test spaces such as safety, cleanliness, procurement, and general upkeep
  • Providing peer review of procedures, reports, plans, and foundational documents
  • May be asked to lead and design expanding lab facilities within a team
  • Building expertise within a growing team, helping scale operations by contributing to training programs, workflows, and best practices
  • Operation & general upkeep of gas handling & molten salt facility systems & laboratory equipment.
  • Contribute to integrated system commissioning & build expertise in hazardous material facility operations at a technical level
  • Contribute to, revise, & author operations procedures
  • Document facility learnings & contribute to a culture of continuous improvement


What we're looking for:

  • MS in Engineering (chemical, materials, micro-nano engineering, mechanical engineering with a focus on heat/mass transport), physics, chemistry, or a related field, with 10 years of experience
  • Experience building and executing testing in an R&D setting
  • Experience working collaboratively in a laboratory setting with techs and senior scientists
  • Experience with rigorous data management including programming to generate reports
  • Experience writing clear lab reports and similar documentation
  • Generation of formal presentations & ability to succinctly summarize findings for a range of audiences
  • Attention to detail, safety, and organization to execute tests with good controls
  • Experience with data analysis using programming tools such as Python
  • Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, technical staff and others
  • Ability to clearly express and critique ideas
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Independent problem solving ability, & able to approach new problems with creativity


Bonus points for:

  • 10+ years work experience in a production or laboratory setting
  • Experience working with high purity, rare, or tritium gases
  • Experience working with molten salts or corrosive fluids
  • Glovebox operations & PPE use for hazardous material handling.
  • Experience with analytical equipment and building high vacuum systems
  • Confluence, JIRA tools
  • Experience with process plant systems and ability to read documentation


Must-have requirements:

  • Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
  • Perform activities such as typing, standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  • Willing to occasionally travel to suppliers and support commissioning/test activities
  • Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics


$130,000 - $200,000 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-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.

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