R&D Fluids Engineer

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 over $2 billion in capital – more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S.

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 a R&D Fluids Engineer

The role of a R&D Fluids Engineer is to develop novel fluid systems for R&D test stands. The range of process fluids is broad (liquid, gaseous, cryogenic, supercritical, molten salt, etc.) and thus the engineer should be strong in mechanical and chemical engineering fundamentals and resourceful, combining industry best practices, off the shelf and customized hardware, and creativity to deliver these fluid systems on tight timelines. They are expected to select instrumentation that allows safe operation of their systems. In addition to designing and building these systems, the engineer is expected to also operate as a test engineer as it relates to commissioning, operating and designing automation with a team of test and software engineers. They must work collaboratively across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and the SPARC team to successfully deliver their projects.

Various projects will call upon this engineer to flex outside fluids engineering and into other engineering disciplines, such as structures and materials engineering, to effectively execute tests and projects as needed by SPARC and ARC risk retirement.

• Design fluid systems for test stands that meet test objectives/requirements; Challenge requirements as necessary to achieve simplicity in design.
• 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 specialty parts and design fluid system components as needed
• Manage build and commissioning of fluid systems and coordinate engineers and technicians as necessary to safely bring systems to operational status
• Design system instrumentation and automation for safe operations

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Process Engineering, or similar
• 5+ years of experience in the engineering of large-scale, integrated systems
• Experience using the following engineering tools: ANSYS, COMSOL, 1D compressible flow code, P&ID generation
• Strong engineering fundamentals in thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics
• Experience designing fluid systems, selecting components, creating work packets and managing builds to deliver large-scale thermofluid systems, from conceptual design through field commissioning
• Experience developing requirements, Process Flow Diagrams, P&IDs, and specifications for thermofluid components, e.g. pumps, tanks, control valves
• Large-scale fluids process engineering
• Hands-on design, install, operation of systems with tanks, process piping, pumps, valves, heat exchangers
• Vendor management
• Fluid system operation
• Instrumentation design and troubleshooting experience

• Ambient and elevated temperature fluid system design, build and commissioning
• Hands-on design, install, operation of systems with compressors, purification systems, & circulators
• Analysis using python or MATLAB
• Ability to learning new technologies quickly, leveraging available resources, getting things done, and making efficient decisions
• Effectively communicating cross-functionally, especially with those not familiar with cryogenics
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic R&D environment
• Data analysis and model calibration
• 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
• Ability to improve efficiency and throughput of processes

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• #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.