Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
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. We’re working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world.
About the role
The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering will lead the manufacturing engineering organization across multiple production sites, including CFS1 and Fusionova, supporting the scale-up of advanced magnet component and assembly manufacturing from development through full-scale production. This leader is responsible for defining and executing the manufacturing engineering strategy across sites, developing high-performing teams and managers, and establishing scalable manufacturing systems to support aggressive production and operational goals.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites, including managers, technical leads, and engineers
- Define and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy supporting production, quality, capacity, and cost objectives across CFS1 and Fusionova
- Establish standardized manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, work instructions, and operational best practices across facilities
- Own process development of the manufacturing line for HTS magnets from low-volume R&D builds through full-scale production
- Develop and qualify manufacturing techniques, automation strategies, process flows, and work instructions for superconducting magnet components and assemblies
- Drive transition from manual processes to scalable semi-automated and automated manufacturing systems
- Organize cross-functional project milestones and schedules to meet company strategic targets and production goals
- Communicate manufacturing risks, project status, resource requirements, and operational priorities to senior leadership
- Lead resolution of complex manufacturing discrepancies with a focus on continuous improvement, throughput, quality, and safety
- Develop manufacturing capacity models, staffing plans, factory layouts, and capital equipment roadmaps to support future factory expansion
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, and Design Engineering to improve production execution and manufacturing readiness
- Implement and standardize DFM (design for manufacturability), PFMEA (process failure mode and effects analysis), statistical process controls, and Lean manufacturing methodologies across sites
- Influence make-vs-buy decisions and manage relationships with external vendors and manufacturing partners
- Drive implementation of KPIs, operational metrics, and data-driven manufacturing decision making
- Build organizational capability through hiring, mentoring, coaching, and developing managers and technical leaders
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, urgency, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field is required
- 10+ years’ experience as a manufacturing engineer supporting complex electro-mechanical systems
- 5+ years’ experience leading manufacturing engineering organizations, including experience managing managers
- Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams across multiple production lines, facilities, or sites
- Experience taking products from R&D into production, including development of scalable and automated manufacturing processes
- Strong background in process development, tooling, automation, production scale-up, and factory operations
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional organizations and drive execution in fast-paced technical environments
- Experience developing manufacturing strategies, staffing plans, capital roadmaps, and operational improvement initiatives
- Proficiency in work instruction writing, process mapping, capacity modeling, production planning, and manufacturing systems development
- High self-motivation and ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-growth environments with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field
- Experience with superconducting magnets, thermo-mechanical assemblies, machining, welding, and/or VPI (vacuum pressure impregnation)
- Experience with advanced manufacturing systems, factory expansion, and production system design
- Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies in production environments
- Experience implementing MES, ERP-integrated manufacturing systems, or digital manufacturing tools
Must-have Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
Pay
$150,000 - $225,000 a year. Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation with equity
- 13 Company-wide Holidays
- Flexible vacation days
- 10 sick days
- Generous parental leave policy
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Professional growth opportunities
- Team-building activities