Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is the surest path to limitless, clean fusion energy. Our mission is to enable world-wide clean energy for everyone, creating a sustainable environment for current and future generations. We have created a credible path to an operating fusion power plant in 15 years which leverages our novel collaboration with MIT and funding from strategic and financial investors who share our vision. This begins by developing a new class of high-field superconducting magnets that will enable the SPARC tokamak to demonstrate net energy from fusion for the first time.To execute this plan, we are now looking to add talented people to the team who are mission-driven and treat people well, improve our team by adding diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits, andhave skillsets and experience that relate 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 to 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 diagnostic specialties and at multiple levels based on a candidate’s work history and leadership experience.This team member will:
- Complete 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 wider SPARC team to ensure diagnostic designs will be usable to achieve SPARC’s mission goals
- Work with the SPARC 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
- Provide expertise that helps CFS build a core competency in plasma physics driven design and tokamak operations that can deliver future fusion devices optimized for power production
- Depending on the candidate’s experience, direct reports may include junior members of the SPARC diagnostic team. Candidate may be asked to 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:
- PhD in plasma physics/related field or Masters in plasma physics/related field + demonstrated tokamak experience.
- Participated in the design of a new or upgraded plasma diagnostic system on a magnetically confined fusion device.
- Demonstrated record of diagnostic utilization to support both device operations and plasma physics research.
- Developed real-time or inter-shot analysis routines for a diagnostic system.
- History of participation in fusion experiments (e.g. you love being in the control room)
- Relevant knowledge/skills specific to diagnostic systems listed in summary
- Attention to detail with an ability to pivot between topics multiple times per day.
- Ability to understand and manage interface issues that bridge complex engineering and physics topics
Additional experience and/or qualifications:
- Led the design and implementation of a diagnostic for mid-size or large tokamak
- 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
- Willin