Diagnostic System Owner
Commonwealth Fusion
Devens, MA, USA
Posted on Saturday, November 6, 2021
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 SPARC tokamak design is continually advancing, including the diagnostic systems that will be used to control the plasma and deliver the scientific data necessary to complete the design of ARC. These include approximately 40 sub-systems covering magnetics, interferometry, neutral pressure, x-ray to visible spectroscopy, camera imaging, bolometry, neutrons, Thomson scattering, electron cyclotron emission, reflectometry, Langmuir probes and structural temperature and strain sensing. Nearly all systems have completed conceptual design, and CFS is looking to grow the SPARC team in order complete more detailed system design and shepherd diagnostics through fabrication, assembly, commissioning and utilization. Candidates will work as part of an integrated diagnostic team along with MIT-PSFC partners and fusion community collaborators from around the world to demonstrate net energy from a tokamak for the first time. Positions are available across multiple instrumentation specialties. CFS encourages applications from early career fusion scientists and those interested in cross-industry career changers to help us build a diverse team to meet our mission goals.
This team member will:
- Shepherd the design of one or more SPARC diagnostic systems or sub-systems (listed in summary), working with a team of designers, analysts and engineers.
- Integrate technical input from experts in the SPARC science team to ensure diagnostic designs will be usable to achieve SPARC’s mission goals
- Work with the CFS procurement team and external suppliers to source components in a way that reduces cost
- Develop the diagnostic’s assembly, installation, calibration and commissioning plans to ensure SPARC is able to achieve first plasma on-schedule.
- Work with the SPARC tokamak operations team to integrate the diagnostic into the plant-level and real-time plasma control systems.
- Participate in the testing and utilization of diagnostic systems that balances learning how to operate SPARC with obtaining physics results as quickly as possible
- Contribute to strong safety culture
- Supervise work completed by CFS designers and analysts as well as provide feedback to collaborators providing input to SPARC diagnostic designs
The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:
- Masters in plasma physics/related field
- Participated in the design of a new or upgraded scientific instrument of the scale and complexity of those used in magnetically confined fusion
- Demonstrated examples of using scientific instruments to support an operational and/or research mission
- Developed real-time or off-line analysis software using Python, Matlab, C++ or equivalent
- Relevant hands-on knowledge/skills specific to diagnostic systems listed in summary (e.g. vacuum systems, lasers, calibration lamps, etc.)
- Attention to detail with an ability to pivot between topics multiple times per day
- Ability to understand and manage interface issues that bridge engineering and physics
Additional experience and/or qualifications:
- Participated in the design and implementation of a diagnostic for a magnetically confined fusion experiment at University-scale or above
- Delivered diagnostic performance on a constrained budget and timeline
- Supervised early career scientists and technical staff on diagnostic projects
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, sitting for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, fumes, strong magnets, confined spaces, lasers, microwaves, ionizing radiation, and vacuum/pressure systems
- Willing to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
- #LI-Hybrid
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.
See more open positions at Commonwealth Fusion
Something looks off?