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Breakthrough Energy Ventures Portfolio Company Career Opportunities

Senior Manager, Vacuum Systems

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Devens, MA, USA
Posted on May 11, 2024
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.
The Sr. Manager for Vacuum Systems at Commonwealth Fusion Systems is responsible for leading a fast-paced and agile team developing, installing, and commissioning ultra-high vacuum systems for the SPARC program. The focus will be on managing schedule, resources, budget, and status reporting for the ongoing design and analysis of the assigned work scope. The SPARC vacuum system provides an extra challenge in that it must act as the primary containment of the tritium fusion fuel. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the efficient operation of vacuum technology, optimizing system performance, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. Collaborating with multiple multidisciplinary teams, you will contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge technologies that rely on high-vacuum systems.
As the SPARC project progresses, the Vacuum Systems Manager will also work closely with the ARC team to implement knowledge gained in design, fabrication, and installation of SPARC components.

This team member will:

  • Manage the budget and schedule to ensure activities are completed on time and on budget
  • Coordinate the work of the team to ensure the design, analysis, procurement, and installation are achieved on time and on budget
  • Collaborate with multiple multidisciplinary teams, to contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge vacuum pumping systems and technologies
  • Ensure emerging interface conflicts with other systems are addressed timely
  • Ensure integration of instrumentation with the Instrumentation & Control team
  • Work alongside the tokamak operations and physics teams to complete the integrated commissioning plan

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

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering or science field
  • 10+ years of experience with a variety of vacuum pumping, vacuum measurement, and leak detection technologies
  • In depth knowledge of materials’ selection and manufacturing processes for UHV and HV technologies duty and best practice
  • In depth understanding of methods for calculating pressure distribution in different regimes; Continuous, Transitional, and Free Molecular Flow
  • Experience in the supervision and mentoring of a small multi-disciplinary team of engineers and technicians
  • Ensure that the design of the vacuum systems and components for the SPARC tokamak is completed to industry standards and satisfy SPARC requirements and mission
  • Work with vendors to identify and modify vacuum components for vacuum and tritium duties

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

  • Designed, specified, built and operated vacuum systems for large research installation (e.g. fusion experiments, particle/ion accelerators, light sources) or for semiconductor wafer vacuum processing equipment
  • Experience in designing per sound systems engineering practice
  • Knowledge of computational analysis methods for vacuum systems (e.g MolFlow+, VacTran™)
  • A familiarity with tritium issues in vacuum systems is a strong plus
  • Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
  • Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, cryogenics, confined spaces, lasers, microwaves, ionizing radiation, and vacuum/pressure systems
  • #LI-Hybrid
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.