Materials Test Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.

CFS collaborates with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with groundbreaking new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. Our mission is to deploy these power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. To that end, CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. To implement this plan, we are looking to add dedicated people to the team who treat people well, improve our work by adding multifaceted perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have achieved outstanding results through a range of pursuits, and have skills and experience related to this role.

The Materials Test and Characterization Group at CFS is looking for a materials test engineer to support the ongoing design, engineering, and delivery of the SPARC net energy tokamak being built in Devens, MA. Fusion energy systems require high performance materials in extreme environments. The material properties and failure modes must be tested in similar extremes to validate they will be able to meet the strict requirements. Materials test engineers will interface with multiple stakeholders across CFS including design engineering, supply chain, electromagnetic analysts, and more. We are seeking engineers with strong materials science fundamentals and hands-on materials testing experience. Experience with a variety of material characterization, design of experiments and interest in developing test methods are desired.

This team member will:

• Identify and evaluate appropriate third party test vendors. Coordinate outsourced testing in a timely manner. Serve as a liaison between the CFS Materials Department and the vendors.
• Create, plan and manage experiments based on industry/international standards for outsourcing materials property testing based on project requirements
• Create, plan and manage experiments for outsourcing component level testing for component design validation. Establish contracts as needed.
• Define and develop appropriate test methods to use for each test, oversee the testing process to ensure it meets internal requirements and deadlines
• Review, verify and validate external test reports and perform subsequent data analysis
• Maintain all the required and relevant documentation, create presentations to communicate test results to the internal stakeholders
• Evaluate materials and components for structural and functional applications within SPARC and ARC
• Support development of test fixtures for mechanical testing of materials and components
• Work closely with other CFS teams
• • Translate component level performance requirements into material property specifications and define appropriate test methods
• • Manage chemical/mechanical/environmental hazards in existing and new experimental facilities with the safety team
• • Identify, onboard, and qualify new vendors with the supply chain team
• Submit purchase orders and prepare samples for shipment, collaborate with shipping teams and manage transport of materials to testing labs, following all regulatory requirements related to hazardous and non-hazardous material handling
• Ensure efficient and timely transfer of property data and new insight to materials engineering teams
• Maintain a database of approved testing vendors, including performance records and capabilities. Monitor the costs associated with outsourcing tests.
• Coordinate the ongoing development, validation and implementation of LIMS (Laboratory information management system) including the development or revision of LIMS policies and procedures
• Provide technical guidance to project team members to ensure efficient execution of design-build-test-learn cycles and retirement of technical risks

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

• BS in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, physics, or related field
• Experience in material characterization and material property testing (Optical and electron microscopy, basic mechanical testing of materials)
• Design, execution, and documentation of experiments
• Experience writing standard operating procedures for technical tasks
• Data analysis, interpretation, and visualization
• Experience with software tools (e.g., G-Suite, MS Office, project management tools)
• Knowledge of materials mechanical testing concepts e.g., Tensile, low and high cycle fatigue, Shear, Fracture Toughness, Bending Moment, and Hardness testing
• Knowledge in mechanical test procedures
• Familiar with material engineering disciplines such as types of materials, how they are characterized, and methods of manufacturing
• Project management, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to estimate resource needs, plan, and schedule multiple activities in parallel
• Participate in and promote CFS’ safety procedures and policies
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, test operators, and support staff
• Ability to contribute in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines by rapidly executing short turnaround engineering/R&D tasks
• Strong problem solving skills, troubleshooting skills and ability to approach new problems with creativity
• Self - motivated with a bias-to-action

Additional preferred experience and/or qualifications:

• Experience with physical property testing of materials and subsequent data analysis
• Experience with metallographic sample preparation and analysis
• Experience working with a LIMS system
• Experience in coordinating testing to industry or international standards such as ASTM and ISO standards for QA-QC
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Extended activities such as typing, standing, and sitting
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• #LI-Onsite

CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems.

At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis 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, ordinance, or regulation.