Associate R&D Test Engineer
Commonwealth Fusion Systems - Devens, MA
posted 8 days ago
About the position
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 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 over $2 billion in capital - more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S. 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 Associate R&D Test Engineer. The role of Associate Test Engineer is to seamlessly flex between multiple disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting Commonwealth Fusion System's mission. This engineer will be primarily responsible for testing and retiring risks for CFS's HTS magnets and on-console operation of the test stands in support of magnet performance verification. They must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, materials, fluids and software engineering, or some combination thereof. They will be responsible for the design, build, and commissioning of equipment and/or software in support of development, qualification and production test objectives. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and SPARC teams to achieve their test campaigns. It is also the role of the test 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.
Responsibilities
- Perform test operations and ensure rigorous adherence to procedures, specifications, and test instructions process to maximize test throughput and minimize rework
- Understand, challenge and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test
- Develop test plans highlighting the test objectives, key data that is needed and the instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain this data. Ensure data is reliable
- Design, analyze, review, procure and build test equipment including structures, fluid systems, mechanical systems and electrical systems
- Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop the necessary I&C and data acquisition system
- Maintain documentation, schedule and a budget for the test campaign. Documentation includes: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, drawings, data acquisition systems, and operations software
- Develop test procedures and processes to execute safe test operations
- Troubleshoot and resolve integration and test discrepancies during build, commissioning and operation
- Iterate on designs, equipment and operations for repeat tests to improve test efficiency
- Perform analyses for the system predicting results and develop custom tools to analyze generated data. Compile test results clearly for review
- Lead anomaly investigations and their resolution, and present results to a team of physicists and engineers
- Execute plans for future expansion, including capital equipment and floor layouts, always having a vision for scalability of systems into a larger context. Provide visions for multi-use test infrastructure that can be scaled for multiple applications
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field is required; electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree preferred
- Entry-level experience as a test engineer on complex electromechanical systems
- Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples, voltage taps, pressure transducers, strain gauges, heaters, flow meters, and solenoid valves
- Experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics hardware and test 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.
- Strong desire to improve efficiency and throughput of processes
- Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences
- High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly
- A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn
- Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems
- Ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems
- Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods
- Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
- Track changes to the configuration of the test stand by documenting the work completed
- Experience with developing and executing test procedures
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/overtime
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with analysis software, especially Python, Comsol and Ansys
- Experience with high field magnet testing traditional or superconducting
- Experience with designing fluid systems - P&IDs, component selection, ASME design codes
- Experience with cryogenic equipment design and use for liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium use - 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 with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use - power supplies, water cooled cables, insulation
Benefits
- Competitive compensation with equity
- 12.5 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
