SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and validate RF (radiofrequency) heating plant components for SPARC, their fusion tokamak project. SPARC sustains fusion reactions by delivering over 25MW of 120MHz RF power to heat plasma to 100 million Kelvin.
In this hands-on role, you will be the primary mechanical design owner for the RF Heating system, responsible for taking newly architected RF and power electronics from benchtop prototyping to full-scale operation. Your responsibilities include:
- Design specialized RF heating plant components including large-diameter coaxial transmission lines, stub tuners, and RF testing loads, working closely with RF engineers
- Decompose high-level system requirements into detailed mechanical specifications and own the mechanical design architecture for the RF Heating system
- Collaborate daily with a dedicated CAD drafting team, providing clear technical guidance, rigorous design reviews, and drawing releases
- Partner cross-functionally with RF engineers, electronics engineers, process engineers, and other disciplines to integrate mechanical solutions
- Architect thermal management solutions by integrating complex water and air cooling loops into high-power electronics enclosures and plant systems
- Develop large sheet metal components, precision mounting hardware for custom PCB assemblies, cold plates, and related hardware
- Perform structural loads analysis and thermal analyses to validate design viability
You will work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on delivering commercially viable fusion energy. The role requires hands-on technical problem-solving and direct responsibility for critical RF plant infrastructure.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
- 5+ years of hands-on mechanical design experience in industrial, heavy machinery, high-power electronics, electric vehicle, or aerospace environments
- Demonstrated experience as the primary creator and owner of mechanical design architectures, operating as a core design engineer
- Direct experience performing structural loads analysis and thermal analyses to validate mechanical designs
- High proficiency in 3D CAD software and creating detailed manufacturing drawings utilizing GD&T standards
- Strong fundamental understanding of heat transfer, structural mechanics, and fluid dynamics
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform activities such as stooping, climbing, standing, typing, or sitting for extended periods
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
- Ability to work in a facility containing industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics
BONUS EXPERIENCE:
- Siemens NX for 3D modeling and Teamcenter for product lifecycle management
- Decomposing complex system requirements into clear mechanical hardware specifications
- Designing large-scale pipe routing, coaxial transmission lines, flanges, bellows, or active water/air cooling systems
- Complex electronics assemblies and thermal management
- Sheet metal fabrication processes, machining capabilities, and direct communication with contract manufacturers
