SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking an R&D Production Test Engineer to support the development and qualification of high-voltage systems for superconducting magnets used in fusion energy applications. The role focuses on the Paschen effect—the behavior of electrical breakdown in high and poor vacuum environments—and involves designing, building, and commissioning test equipment and procedures for the SPARC and ARC tokamak programs.
You will lead test campaigns in cryogenic, vacuum, and high-current environments, developing detailed test procedures and ensuring data integrity through robust instrumentation and controls. Key responsibilities include designing and building test equipment with mechanical, electrical, and fluid system components; optimizing test stands for rate and data quality; managing test schedules, budgets, and technical documentation (P&IDs, CAD designs, schematics); and analyzing test data using custom tools to present findings to cross-functional teams.
The role requires seamless collaboration across manufacturing, R&D, procurement, and SPARC integration teams. You will lead anomaly investigations and resolution efforts, working with physicists and engineers to troubleshoot complex systems. You will also challenge and refine test requirements, risks, and objectives to ensure planned tests are necessary and data collection is essential for achieving outcomes.
This is a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where you'll support the urgent transition to commercially viable fusion energy. The position involves occasional travel and willingness to work nights, weekends, or on-call as needed. The facility contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree (or higher) in engineering or applied physics
- 2+ years of hands-on testing experience
- Expertise in test stand operation, data collection, and cross-functional collaboration
- Strong background in test planning, data analysis, and test equipment design
- Experience with electromagnetic fundamentals and troubleshooting complex systems
- Passion for process improvement and innovative problem-solving
- Excellent communication skills for presenting technical topics
- Self-motivated, results-driven, and eager to learn
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
- Ability to perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping, or sitting for extended periods
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
**Bonus qualifications:**
- Experience with structural FEA software (ANSYS, COMSOL)
- Proficiency in NX and Teamcenter for designing complex test equipment
- Experience with Ignition for developing Human Machine Interfaces
- Proficiency in Jira or similar project tracking software
- Experience with large-scale data collection, manipulation, and analysis
- Hands-on experience operating complex test stands for long-duration campaigns
