Staff Electrical Engineer
Commonwealth Fusion Systems · On-site
MeritLog read this listing from Commonwealth Fusion Systems's Lever job board and last checked it on September 12, 2026.
Source: the employer's Lever job board. Open the original listing for current details.
Job details
- Work model
- On-site
- Salary
- $130,000 - $220,000
- Location
- Milpitas, CA
What the role asks for
What you'd do
- Lead Electrical System Architecture: Architect complete power and electrical hardware platforms for complex R&D tools, managing power distribution, low-voltage DC systems, cable harness design, and power conditioning. Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding industrial equipment
- Schematic Design & Drafting: Create, modify, and approve comprehensive electrical schematic packages (one-lines, multi-line, I/O diagrams, panel layouts, cable schedules) in AutoCAD Electrical per NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A standards
- Instrumentation & Sensor Integration: Sizing, specify, and integrate power supplies, circuit protection, VFDs, servo drives, safety relays, and precision sensors (thermocouples, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, flow meters)
- Signal Integrity & EMI/EMC Mitigation: Design robust grounding, shielding, and isolation schemes to protect sensitive analog/digital measurement signals in high-power, electrically noisy, and high-magnetic field environments
- Hardwired & Control Safety Systems: Implement ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA-compliant electrical safety circuits, interlocks, light curtains, and emergency stop systems to protect personnel and high-hazard industrial hardware
- Hardware Commissioning & I/O Checkout: Lead hands-on electrical testing, ring-out, power-up, and I/O validation on the tool floor using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and basic PLC diagnostics
- Controls & Software Support: Assist controls engineers in configuring EtherCAT/industrial fieldbuses, verifying drive parameters, and debugging basic PLC code (Structured Text/TwinCAT) or HMI screens during tool bring-up
- Vendor & Panel Shop Direction: Manage external panel build shops and electrical contractors; specify panel construction details, manage component BOMs, and lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Mechatronics Engineering required (Master’s preferred)
- Experience: 10+ years of dedicated electrical engineering experience designing power distribution, electrical cabinets, and hardware architectures for complex industrial or R&D capital equipment
- Electrical Design Expertise: Expert proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical for full schematic generation, panel layouts, terminal block design, and wire harness documentation
- Power & Codes Mastery: Deep technical understanding of 480VAC 3-phase systems, transformer sizing, short-circuit current ratings (SCCR), arc flash safety, and industry codes (NFPA 79, NEC/NFPA 70, UL 508A)
- Grounding & Noise Control: Demonstrated experience solving EMI/EMC issues, noise coupling, and grounding challenges in complex electromechanical tools
- Controls Background (Secondary Skillset): Working knowledge of PLC hardware architectures (Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or Siemens), industrial fieldbuses (EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP), and safety PLCs (TwinSAFE)
- Diagnostic & Commissioning Skills: High proficiency in hands-on hardware troubleshooting, field wiring, and electrical fault isolation on the machine floor
What they're asking for
- Semiconductor & Vacuum Equipment: Experience designing electrical hardware for semiconductor tools, high-vacuum systems, or high-temperature processing equipment.SkillPreferred
- High-Current / High-Power Systems: Experience with high-current DC power supplies, magnetics, or cryogenic instrumentation.SkillPreferred
- PLC Programming Capability: Ability to write and debug IEC 61131-3 Structured Text code or Python scripts for hardware testbeds.SkillPreferred
- SCADA/HMI Familiarity: Exposure to Inductive Automation Ignition or custom operational interfaces.SkillPreferred
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionallySkillPreferred
- Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, standing, sitting for extended periods of timeSkillPreferred
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionallySkillPreferred
- Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenicsSkillPreferred
Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.
Job description
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 we're working with policymakers, suppliers, and many others to build the energy industry of the future. We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised $4 billion of capital, making us the largest and leading fusion company in the world. 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. Join the power movement as a Principal Mechanical Engineer We’re looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our R&D and equipment design team to help build the next generation equipment. You will be responsible for the end-to-end design, integration, and implementation of advanced thermal vacuum equipment and R&D machinery. This role requires you to be a technical expert who can drive innovative architecture while maintaining the procedural discipline necessary for high-performance hardware. If you enjoy solving complex thermal-mechanical problems in vacuum environments and mentoring others in a collaborative, fast-paced setting, this is your opportunity to make an impact. What you'll do: • Lead Electrical System Architecture: Architect complete power and electrical hardware platforms for complex R&D tools, managing power distribution, low-voltage DC systems, cable harness design, and power conditioning. Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding industrial equipment • Schematic Design & Drafting: Create, modify, and approve comprehensive electrical schematic packages (one-lines, multi-line, I/O diagrams, panel layouts, cable schedules) in AutoCAD Electrical per NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A standards • Instrumentation & Sensor Integration: Sizing, specify, and integrate power supplies, circuit protection, VFDs, servo drives, safety relays, and precision sensors (thermocouples, pressure transducers, vacuum gauges, flow meters) • Signal Integrity & EMI/EMC Mitigation: Design robust grounding, shielding, and isolation schemes to protect sensitive analog/digital measurement signals in high-power, electrically noisy, and high-magnetic field environments • Hardwired & Control Safety Systems: Implement ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA-compliant electrical safety circuits, interlocks, light curtains, and emergency stop systems to protect personnel and high-hazard industrial hardware • Hardware Commissioning & I/O Checkout: Lead hands-on electrical testing, ring-out, power-up, and I/O validation on the tool floor using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and basic PLC diagnostics • Controls & Software Support: Assist controls engineers in configuring EtherCAT/industrial fieldbuses, verifying drive parameters, and debugging basic PLC code (Structured Text/TwinCAT) or HMI screens during tool bring-up • Vendor & Panel Shop Direction: Manage external panel build shops and electrical contractors; specify panel construction details, manage component BOMs, and lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) What we’re looking for: • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Mechatronics Engineering required (Master’s preferred) • Experience: 10+ years of dedicated electrical engineering experience designing power distribution, electrical cabinets, and hardware architectures for complex industrial or R&D capital equipment • Electrical Design Expertise: Expert proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical for full schematic generation, panel layouts, terminal block design, and wire harness documentation • Power & Codes Mastery: Deep technical understanding of 480VAC 3-phase systems, transformer sizing, short-circuit current ratings (SCCR), arc flash safety, and industry codes (NFPA 79, NEC/NFPA 70, UL 508A) • Grounding & Noise Control: Demonstrated experience solving EMI/EMC issues, noise coupling, and grounding challenges in complex electromechanical tools • Controls Background (Secondary Skillset): Working knowledge of PLC hardware architectures (Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or Siemens), industrial fieldbuses (EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP), and safety PLCs (TwinSAFE) • Diagnostic & Commissioning Skills: High proficiency in hands-on hardware troubleshooting, field wiring, and electrical fault isolation on the machine floor Bonus points for: • Semiconductor & Vacuum Equipment: Experience designing electrical hardware for semiconductor tools, high-vacuum systems, or high-temperature processing equipment. • High-Current / High-Power Systems: Experience with high-current DC power supplies, magnetics, or cryogenic instrumentation. • PLC Programming Capability: Ability to write and debug IEC 61131-3 Structured Text code or Python scripts for hardware testbeds. • SCADA/HMI Familiarity: Exposure to Inductive Automation Ignition or custom operational interfaces. Must-have requirements: • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally • Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, standing, sitting for extended periods of time • Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally • Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics #LI-Onsite 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. This role requires compliance with U.S. laws concerning the export of controlled or protected technologies or information (collectively, “Export Control Laws"). Any offer of employment will be contingent on the need for compliance with such Export Control Laws.
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