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Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to join their mission to deliver commercially viable fusion energy. As a Senior Controls Engineer, you will be an expert in core control functions with deep domain knowledge, taking independent ownership of complex machine and process development with minimal management direction.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead initial equipment conceptual development, balancing product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, and lead time constraints
- Serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for complex equipment assets or SCADA modules, independently managing deployment through commissioning and post-commissioning stabilization
- Diagnose complex, systemic equipment failures on the production floor and independently lead formal root cause analyses (RCA) to deliver long-term solutions
- Provide technical leadership on medium to long-term problems and share expertise across the department
- Create and approve robust system architectures and electrical schematics (compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards) for manufacturing and test equipment, designed for modularity and reuse
- Write and debug PLC structured text with emphasis on organized, documented, maintainable, and reusable code
- Define technical requirements and documentation packages for external equipment vendors and integrators
- Contribute to department policies, tool development, and characterization of automated processes using data-driven approaches (Cpk, Gage R&R)
- Respectfully challenge and influence cross-functional peers to achieve alignment, leveraging data and rationale
- Mentor junior colleagues to support their professional growth and skill development
- Identify and mitigate low and medium risks while escalating larger risks with proposed solutions to management
The role requires physical capability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally, perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting for extended periods, and dedication to safety in an environment with potential hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics. Occasional travel and willingness to work required nights/weekends/on-call is expected.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering field (required)
- 7+ years' experience as a controls engineer on complex electro-mechanical systems
- Mastery of programming and troubleshooting automation controllers in all IEC 61131-3 designated languages
- Proven ability to apply sound reasoning and considerable judgment in ambiguous situations where decisions impact large portions of a project
- Experience with control reliable safety systems (ANSI/RIA R15.06/OSHA compliant)
- Expertise in enclosure design compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A standards
- Reliable and persistent work ethic, seeing tasks through to completion and staying determined in the face of uncertainty and failure
- Familiarity with rotating machinery, cable winding, soldering, and/or pipe bending
- Collaboration experience with job shops and external vendors
- High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated commitment to design for manufacturability, serviceability, and simplicity over complexity
Bonus Experience:
- Beckhoff and Siemens controls platforms
- Ignition SCADA systems
- Integrating equipment data into SCADA/data systems (e.g., IO-Link, MQTT)
- Machine Vision experience
- Greenfield or brownfield startup commissioning experience
- CAD drafting expertise, specifically AutoCAD Electrical
