R&D Test Engineer - Fluid Systems

Commonwealth Fusion Systems•Devens, MA

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is seeking an R&D Test Engineer to develop novel fluid systems for R&D test stands, with a primary focus on supporting magnet testing. This role requires strong mechanical and chemical engineering fundamentals to handle a broad range of process fluids, including liquid, gaseous, cryogenic, supercritical, and molten salt. The ideal candidate will be resourceful, utilizing industry best practices, off-the-shelf and customized hardware, and creativity to deliver fluid systems on tight timelines. Projects will vary in scale, from small test stands to complex systems for SPARC and ARC. The engineer will also actively operate as a test engineer, commissioning systems and designing automation in collaboration with test/software engineers and operators. This role requires close collaboration with production, R&D, procurement, and the SPARC team. Additionally, the engineer may need to contribute to other disciplines, such as structures and materials engineering, to mitigate risks for SPARC and ARC.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical, process engineering, or a closely related field
5+ years of experience in the engineering of integrated fluid/mechanical systems (experience with both small-scale rapid R&D and large-scale systems is highly desired)
Full-lifecycle fluid systems: Hands-on experience executing the entire lifecycle of large-scale thermofluid systems
Component expertise: Experience developing specifications, sizing and working with tanks, process piping, pumps, valves, compressors, purification stages, circulators, heat exchangers, etc.
Design documentation: Strong background in establishing system requirements, generating process flow diagrams (PFDs), and developing piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
Instrumentation: Experience in the design, integration, and troubleshooting of system instrumentation
Software and analysis tools: Experience utilizing engineering tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL, 1D compressible flow codes, Python and MATLAB
Extreme environments: Practical experience designing, building, and commissioning fluid systems for specialized pressurized, cryogenic, vacuum, and/or elevated-temperature applications
Vendor relations: Experience sourcing complex components, drafting technical specifications, and managing relationships with specialized vendors and suppliers
Cross-functional communication: Strong ability to distill complex fluid system details and effectively communicate to non-experts and interfacing teams across R&D, production, and procurement
Problem solving: Highly driven to challenge assumptions, make efficient technical decisions, and develop innovative solutions on tight timelines
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally

Nice To Haves

Adaptability: Ability to flex into adjacent engineering disciplines, such as structures or materials, when required to help retire risks for SPARC and ARC
Process optimization: Strong aptitude for identifying bottlenecks and improving throughput during system designs, builds, and commissioning operations

Responsibilities

Design fluid systems for test stands that meet test objectives/requirements, soliciting feedback from interfacing teams as necessary
Challenge requirements as necessary to achieve simplicity in design and develop efficient de-risking strategies and plans
Perform hand calculations and system level analyses demonstrating sufficient margin for fluid system requirements; build and run Ansys structural and thermal simulations on components and assemblies
Procure off-the-shelf process fluid components, manage relationships with vendors, draft specifications for speciality parts and design custom fluid system components as needed
Manage the build and commissioning of fluid systems, coordinating engineers and technicians to safely bring systems to operational status
Design system instrumentation and automation for safe operations