Senior R&D Test Engineer - Fluid Systems
About The Position
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is seeking a Senior 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 due to the broad range of process fluids involved, 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 within tight timelines. Projects will vary in scale, from smaller 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 demands close collaboration across production, R&D, procurement, and the SPARC team. Additionally, the engineer may need to apply knowledge in 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
- 7+ 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
Benefits
- Competitive compensation with equity
- 13 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
