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R&D Engineer High Voltage
Job Location:
Job Location:
Devens, MA - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 70000 - 120000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
21 August 2026 (Yesterday)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
18 November 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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 were designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And were working with policymakers suppliers and many others to build the energy industry of the future.
Were in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018 weve raised $4 billion of capital making us the largest and leading fusion company in the world.
Now were looking for more thinkers doers builders and makers to join us. People wholl bring new perspectives solve tough problems and thrive as part of a team.
If thats you and this role fits we want to hear from you.
Join the power movement as a R&D Engineer
Most fusion-relevant superconducting magnets undergo high voltage transients that must be designed and tested againstusing protection schemes that must take high and poor vacuum effects into account (e.g. the Paschen effect). This role is aimed towards research and development of high voltage systems for superconducting magnets with a focus on the Paschen effect including the execution and development of test campaigns as well as leading RCCA efforts through analysis and testing to resolve issues that may arise with the SPARC / ARC magnets currently in production tokamak integration and commissioning. Magnet technology is inherently multidisciplinary and a successful R&D engineer will seamlessly flex between disciplines and groups to effectively execute tests and projects on aggressive schedules supporting CFSs mission. The R&D Engineer must have a fundamental understanding of mechanical electrical materials fluids and software engineering or some combination thereofwith a focus on high voltage systems in vacuum. The R&D Engineer will be responsible for the design build and commissioning of equipment and/or software in support of development qualification and production tests related to high voltage systems inside vacuum. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing R&D procurement and SPARC teams to achieve their test campaigns. It is also the role of the R&D Engineer to constantly push and challenge the requirements risks and test objectives that they are provided to help the combined stakeholders come to a consensus on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the outcome to be achieved.
What youll do:
- Develop new high voltage system designs and their associated subsystems which includes designing and building R&D test samples and developing their manufacturing processes and test operations
- Design build and commission high voltage test equipment required to accomplish R&D test campaign objectives
- Perform structural electrical and/or thermal analyses in support of R&D sample design and to predict test results
- Build expertise in testing superconducting magnets under high voltage
- Support the production test integration and commissioning of SPARC insulated coils
- Understand challenge and maintain well documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test and align stakeholders on why the planned test is required and what data is deemed essential for the desired outcome to be achieved
- Collaborate with I&C engineers to develop necessary instrumentation and data acquisition systems
- Maintain documentation schedules and budgets for test campaigns. Documentation includes: design reviews wiring lists P&IDs schematics CAD assemblies drawings BOMs data acquisition systems job hazard analysis test logs and operations software
- Develop custom tools to analyze generated data. Compile test results in presentations for review
- Prepare and deliver presentations containing trade studies design reviews test readiness reviews and test data reviews to teams of engineers and physicists
What were looking for:
- Bachelors degree in engineering or science field is required; mechanical engineering electrical engineering or similar or applied physics degree preferred
- 2 years experience as an R&D engineer or test engineer designing building commissioning complex electromechanical systems
- Experience with selecting and utilizing instrumentation and control components such as thermocouples voltage and current sensors oscilloscopes pressure transducers strain gauges heaters flow meters fittings and valves
- Experience with developing and executing test procedures
- Proficiency with CAD design in Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software
- Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals: voltage current resistance Ohms law AC/DC right-hand rule solenoids etc.
- Excellent troubleshooting / problem-solving skills with great attention to detail
- Experience developing and effectively presenting comprehensive trade studies comparing the pros & cons of various technical approaches
- Data reduction and analysis skills that can be used in generating anticipated results and processing generated data
- Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly
- Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating productive discourse on problems
- Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better more efficient methods.
Bonus points for:
- Experience writing Python or MATLAB data tools for processing and analyzing data
- Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use power supplies water-cooled cables insulation
- Experience with designing building and testing composite materials.
- Have a general understanding of the physics of high voltage breakdown and the Paschen effect
- Experience debugging electronics hardware and test software
- Experience with designing and commissioning new test facilities
- Experience with cryogenic equipment design for use with liquid nitrogen and supercritical helium vacuum jacketed equipment cryocoolers phase separators cold traps
- Experience with high vacuum equipment design and use roughing pumps turbopumps ion gauges residual gas analyzers
- Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes and handing off processes to production teams
Must-have requirements:
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
- Perform activities such as typing climbing standing stooping or sitting for extended periods of time
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
- 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
$70000 - $120000 a year
Salary range for this full-time position equity benefits.The actual salary will depend on level location qualifications and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.
Benefits include:
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
#LI-Hybrid
At CFS we excel in fast-paced environments driven by our values of integrity execution impact and self-critique. As we grow were 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.
Required Experience:
IC
