Chief Engineer - Plant Design and Engineering

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Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.

CFS collaborates with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with groundbreaking new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. Our mission is to deploy these power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. To that end, CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. To implement this plan, we are looking to add dedicated people to the team who treat people well, improve our work by adding multifaceted perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have achieved outstanding results through a range of pursuits, and have skills and experience related to this role.

The Chief Engineer has the responsibility for providing technical expertise and leadership in the planning, engineering, design, implementation, and support of highly engineered systems that will enable the functioning of a fusion power plant. Essential to the role will be the ability to examine the interactions of these various systems to ensure the integrated functioning performs as expected as well as proper functioning at the interface points between these systems. The successful Candidate will be responsible for providing technical support to the engineering and delivery teams, assist in defining functional requirements as well as participate in the review of designs, leading of technical tradeoff studies, determining applicable codes and standards, and defining of system architectures.
The successful Candidate must have strong technical knowledge and skills of process piping, process equipment, process design, and associated support systems of a thermal power plant of significant size. They do not need prior fusion experience as this will be taught on the job. The Candidate must have a demonstrated ability to review and comment on designs and provide clear technical feedback. The position requires an excellent working knowledge of the project delivery process including planning, design, manufacturing, construction and commissioning, and qualification. This position will work with in-house Engineering teams, R&D, Project/Construction Managers, partner firms, contractors, vendors, to design, deliver, and start up new facilities and systems.

This team member will:

  • Function as the Design Authority for SPARC and ARC Balance of Plant (BOP) systems, components, and structures supporting the fusion machine
  • Oversee design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical products and systems. Responsible for establishing the design requirements and ensuring that design output documentation appropriately and accurately reflect the design basis
  • Support the implementation of design at the job site, identifying, and communicating issues and facilitating their resolution. The candidate must also be capable of determining requirements and approaches for testing at both system and equipment levels
  • Provide consultation and guidance through the design phases of a project including Design Basis development, concept, preliminary and detailed engineering and design, as well as development of detailed specifications for highly engineered equipment
  • Provide high-level technical guidance and support to resolve complex design issues, ensuring continuous progress on design aspects of projects
  • Understand the delivery trade-offs in terms of schedule, budget, manufacturability of different technical paths and align these with business objectives
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced staff, fostering a culture of learning and expertise development
  • Work in a collaborative team environment with the opportunity for frequent interaction with team members
  • Develop analytical processes/tools to improve effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the engineering development effort
  • Investigate emerging technologies to develop future product designs to meet projected requirements
  • Prepare technical presentations and briefing them to customers, partners, and technical leadership teams

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

  • Degreed Engineer and a minimum of 20 years’ experience in the engineering, design and installation of highly engineered mechanical, process, and electrical systems and equipment
  • Strong technical knowledge and skills in the process systems in a thermal power plant
  • Effective meeting management skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong attention to detail and willingness to dig into details
  • Ability to work independently with little day–to–day direction
  • Leadership of technical teams delivering highly complex designs

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

  • Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics
  • Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
  • Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
  • #LI-Hybrid
CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems.

At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.