Manager, Fusion Diagnostics

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems: 

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future. 

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team. 

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

Join the power movement as Manager, Fusion Diagnostics

The SPARC Diagnostics Team is divided into three instrumentation specialist teams to facilitate the deployment of diagnostics and the development of staff.  This role focuses on SPARC’s ionizing radiation diagnostics which are the tools that measure neutron, gamma, X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet emission from the plasma.  This includes the measurements that will be used to achieve CFS’s nearest milestone, to demonstrate Q > 1 in SPARC’s first operational campaign.  A more detailed overview of SPARC’s diagnostics can be found at: https://pubs.aip.org/aip/rsi/article/95/10/103518/3317155.

The Manager is expected to provide leadership to scientists and engineers as well as carry out some responsibilities of an individual contributor on an as needed basis.  The role will evolve with the SPARC project as diagnostics move from design to operation, but is envisioned to have the responsibilities listed below.  Candidates will work as part of an integrated diagnostic team that includes MIT-PSFC partners and fusion community collaborators from around the world.  Experience working on a tokamak or with fusion plasma diagnostics is not required and CFS welcomes applications from non-tokamak or non-fusion backgrounds that can help deliver SPARC’s diagnostic capabilities.

• Support and strengthen the ionizing radiation diagnostics team, presently consisting of the instrumentation leads, engineers and designers
• Provide leadership to ensure the team’s completion of the design, procurement and assembly of the SPARC’s ionizing radiation diagnostics (neutron, gamma, X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy)
• Identify paths to reduce the complexity in SPARC diagnostics through shared design solutions or re-evaluation of potentially conservative requirements
• Assist the Diagnostic Team Lead in managing scope, budget, schedule and technical risk
• Manage space in the SPARC Diagnostic Labs and work with procurement to tailor QA/QC and inventory control to the specific needs of ionizing radiation diagnostics
• Help develop and review plans for integration of ionizing radiation diagnostics into SPARC’s real-time and day-to-day control systems
• Help to ensure the efficient operation and use of SPARC’s ionization radiation diagnostics to achieve SPARC’s scientific mission
• Supervise a team of ~10 engineers and scientists

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field (mechanical, aerospace, civil or nuclear), with advanced degrees improving the job execution
• Have developed and delivered scientific or industrial instrumentation that utilized ionizing radiation
• Understand the basics of ionizing radiation and relevant safety issues in order to ensure these concepts are embedded in design
• Prior experience with line management is encouraged but not required, but all candidates must demonstrate clear leadership experience, e.g. leading a team to accomplish a goal/mission or to deliver a product
• Ability to direct staff accomplishing complex tasks over a broad range of topics
• Experience responsibly managing a budget at or above the million dollar level

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• 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

#LI-Onsite

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless 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.

This role requires compliance with U.S. laws concerning the export of controlled or protected technologies or information (collectively, “Export Control Laws"). Any offer of employment will be contingent on the need for compliance with such Export Control Laws.