Intern - Plasma Physics - Summer 2027

Commonwealth Fusion Systems•Devens, MA

9d•$25 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is hiring a summer 2027 intern to join its plasma physics digital twin team. The internship is designed for undergraduate and graduate students and will be tailored to the intern’s current skills and education level. The intern will select one or two projects from several options at the start of the internship. Projects may address the intersection of AI and physics, and students studying any branch of plasma physics or applying machine learning or AI to physics problems are encouraged to apply. The internship runs for 13–18 weeks, at 40–50 hours per week, with an hourly rate determined by year in school. On-site opportunities are available in Devens, Massachusetts; interns working on site are responsible for their own transportation and housing. Specific project assignments and technical requirements will depend on the team’s needs. Applicants must be currently enrolled college students, from bachelor’s through PhD level, and authorized to work in the United States for any employer. The role may involve computational or experimental plasma physics work for SPARC and/or ARC, developing computational modules for the SPARC digital twin, building AI workflows to accelerate physics calculations, and creating ways to visualize complex plasma physics data. The work may involve industrial hazards, and the intern is expected to prioritize safety. The role requires compliance with applicable U.S. export control laws. The listed hourly range is $25–$38: $25–$32 for bachelor’s interns and $35–$38 for master’s and PhD interns. Benefits for full-time interns include 40 hours of sick time, health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with employer matching (enrollment requires being at least 21), professional growth opportunities, and team-building activities.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in college, from bachelor’s through PhD level.
Authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
Pursuing an engineering degree focused on plasma physics or a related field, such as engineering or computer science.
Introductory knowledge of plasma physics, specifically tokamaks and magnetic confinement fusion.
Knowledge of using agentic AI tools such as Claude or ChatGPT for coding and scientific research.
Experience with Python, C++, or similar programming languages.
Experience with version control such as Git.
Excellent writing and technical communication skills.
Willingness to travel or work required nights, weekends, or on call occasionally.
Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods.
Dedication to safety when working around potential hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics.

Responsibilities

Perform plasma physics calculations for SPARC and/or ARC using computational models or experimental datasets.
Develop computational modules for the SPARC digital twin, including physics and engineering models.
Develop AI workflows, including surrogate models, to accelerate complex physics calculations.
Develop data visualization methods for complex plasma physics data within the digital twin.
Comply with safety practices to mitigate industrial hazards.