Senior Electrical Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems•Milpitas, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to serve as the lead electrical hardware authority for next-generation R&D and processing equipment. The role owns end-to-end electrical design for complex machinery, with emphasis on 480VAC power distribution, electrical safety, signal integrity, sensor instrumentation, and control-panel architecture. It bridges high-power electrical infrastructure and machine-level controls, working alongside software and mechanical teams to bring first-of-a-kind hardware to life. The engineer designs power and electrical hardware platforms, creates and approves schematic packages, integrates instrumentation and sensors, and addresses grounding, shielding, isolation, and EMI/EMC concerns. The role also implements safety circuits and interlocks, leads hands-on commissioning and I/O checkout, supports controls engineers with fieldbus and drive configuration, and directs vendors and panel shops through panel construction and Factory Acceptance Testing. This is a full-time, onsite role. The position requires occasional lifting up to 25 pounds, physical activities including stooping, climbing, standing, and sitting for extended periods, and occasional travel or work at night, on weekends, or on call. Work may involve hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics. Employment is contingent on compliance with applicable U.S. export control laws.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Mechatronics Engineering.
At least 8 years of dedicated electrical engineering experience designing power distribution, electrical cabinets, and hardware architectures for complex industrial or R&D capital equipment.
Expert proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical for schematic generation, panel layouts, terminal-block design, and wire-harness documentation.
Deep technical understanding of 480VAC three-phase systems, transformer sizing, short-circuit current ratings (SCCR), arc-flash safety, and NFPA 79, NEC/NFPA 70, and UL 508A codes.
Demonstrated experience resolving EMI/EMC issues, noise coupling, and grounding challenges in complex electromechanical tools.
Working knowledge of PLC hardware architectures such as Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or Siemens; industrial fieldbuses such as EtherCAT or EtherNet/IP; and safety PLCs such as TwinSAFE.
High proficiency in hands-on hardware troubleshooting, field wiring, and electrical fault isolation on the machine floor.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Ability to stoop, climb, and stand or sit for extended periods.
Willingness to travel or work required nights, weekends, or on call occasionally.
Dedication to safety when working around industrial hazards, including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience designing electrical hardware for semiconductor tools, high-vacuum systems, or high-temperature processing equipment.
Experience with high-current DC power supplies, magnetics, or cryogenic instrumentation.
Ability to write and debug IEC 61131-3 Structured Text code or Python scripts for hardware testbeds.
Exposure to Inductive Automation Ignition or custom operational interfaces.

Responsibilities

Design complete electrical power and hardware platforms for complex R&D equipment, including power distribution, low-voltage DC systems, cable harnesses, and power conditioning.
Implement control-reliable safety systems for industrial equipment in compliance with ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA requirements.
Create, modify, and approve electrical schematic packages, including one-line and multi-line diagrams, I/O diagrams, panel layouts, and cable schedules, using AutoCAD Electrical and applicable standards.
Specify and integrate power supplies, circuit protection, VFDs, servo drives, safety relays, and precision sensors.
Design grounding, shielding, and isolation approaches to protect measurement signals in electrically noisy and high-magnetic-field environments.
Implement electrical safety circuits, interlocks, light curtains, and emergency-stop systems.
Lead hands-on electrical testing, ring-out, power-up, and I/O validation on the tool floor using test equipment and basic PLC diagnostics.
Assist controls engineers with industrial fieldbus configuration, drive parameter verification, and debugging basic PLC code or HMI screens during tool bring-up.
Manage external panel-build shops and electrical contractors, specify panel construction details, manage component bills of materials, and lead Factory Acceptance Testing.