Director, Materials and Processing

Commonwealth Fusion Systems•Devens, MA

3d•$170,000 - $225,000•Onsite

About The Position

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is seeking a dynamic and technically accomplished leader for Materials and Processing (M&P) to guide the strategic direction and tactical operation of this core discipline essential for fusion development and deployment. The M&P Department supports design engineers, supply chain, and manufacturing by selecting materials, defining materials and processing routes, validating material properties, and conducting R&D for new materials and processes. The team includes engineering resources for product development, characterization and process development infrastructure, and scientific staff focused on a fusion power plant materials development roadmap. This role is crucial for delivering SPARC and designing the ARC fusion power plant, which present unique materials challenges due to neutron fluxes, high heat loads, molten salt coolant systems, complex component topologies, high magnetic fields, and mechanical loading in cryogenic conditions. The Director will represent the discipline in company-level decision-making and strategy setting, defining problems for cross-functional teams, and operationalizing the technology roadmap to fusion power plant deployment. Reporting to the Director of Technology Development, this role involves managing a team of over 40 engineers, scientists, and technicians, multi-million dollar budgets, and fostering a culture of curiosity and technical excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in materials engineering, welding engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or similar
At least 12 years experience in materials and process engineering with 10 years in leadership roles
Managing teams across multiple core technical competencies
Experience working with design teams in collaborative materials and process selection under ambiguous requirements
Experience using project/product management tools and tracking of projects (JIRA preferred)
Experience building, justifying, and managing budgets for both projects and standard work centers
Strong communication and organizational skills
Performing engineering resource estimation and maintaining team accountability for deliverables
Experience making and justifying decisions in fast paced engineering settings
Experience in developing and maintaining a strong safety culture across all teams and work centers
Strong time management skills
Self - motivation and autonomy

Nice To Haves

Deep technical experience in multiple disciplines of materials and processing
Taking under-defined problems and driving them to a state of completion
Operating in a flexible, service-oriented matrix engineering team

Responsibilities

Building and leading a team of 40+ engineers, scientists, and technicians across multiple working locations and shifts
Prioritizing and balancing the deployment of M&P staff across product teams and development projects
Mentor and develop leaders in Engineering, Test and Characterization, and Fusion Materials Program verticals of the department
Manage multi-million operational budgets to simultaneously support design, manufacturing, and research and development activities
Setting strategic priorities for groups within the M&P department
Communicating technical outcomes, department KPIs, and overall strategy to executives and other technical leadership
Executing high-impact technical decision making and backstopping the decision making of vertical leads and department staff
Provide continuous de-risking services to all company projects through internal and external development and test cycles
Maintaining a team culture of curiosity, technical excellence, and consistency of delivery
With other domain Directors in Technology Development, influence the long-term strategic development of the directorate, ensuring that M&P is delivering the highest leverage capabilities to the company at the right time
Interface with key cross functional stakeholders including core engineering, design, supply chain, and manufacturing to ensure timely resolution to emerging technical challenges
With supply chain, influence long-term procurement strategy by translating product requirements to material inputs evaluated across global capacities