Scientific Data Acquisition Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.
CFS is collaborating with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with new groundbreaking high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. The mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. 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 execute this plan, we are 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, and have skill sets and experience that relate to this role.
The SPARC instrumentation and control team seek an experienced scientific data acquisition engineer to take responsibility for the design, implementation, testing, installation and commissioning of the data acquisition systems of SPARC. Systems include the tokamak instrumentation and diagnostics. These I&C systems must be integrated with the central I&C systems responsible for machine operations, orchestration, plasma control, machine protection, safety, access control, data acquisition and archiving.
This individual will specify, test, integrate, and commission the data acquisition equipment used for the SPARC tokamak and plant, working with the many signal producers and data consumers to ensure all necessary data is acquired with sufficient performance and robustness.
The candidate will be wholly responsible for the DAQ hardware (including digitizers, computing hardware, and – in some cases – signal conditioning), and will interface on the ‘field’ side with instrumentation and electrical engineering, while interfacing on the ‘infrastructure’ side with network, SCADA, and database engineering. 

This team member will:

• Design of the data acquisition for multiple systems of SPARC by production of the required design deliverables according to the SPARC design process
• Collaborate with the lead engineers for the SPARC systems and central I&C systems and other key stakeholders to ensure all necessary functions and interfaces are included in the design of data acquisition systems and implemented according to requirements
• Coordinate and oversee implementation, testing, installation and commissioning of the data acquisition systems according to the project schedule
• Manage suppliers of components and integrated subsystems of the data acquisition systems
• Produce engineering deliverables such as instrument lists, signal lists, loop diagrams, data sheets and cabling schedules
• Produce testing, installation, commissioning, operations and maintenance procedures for the data acquisition systems
• Ensure the design is completed in compliance with the Code of Record and established requirements 
• Maintain interfaces with other engineering subsystems
• Report on and be accountable for progress to the head of I&C and the engineer responsible for the systems for which the data acquisition is being produced

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

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic or instrumentation and control engineering or similar
• Designed, built and operated data acquisition systems for complex devices under a QA program
• Familiarity with low-level data acquisition circuits and components, and electronic measurement and design fundamentals
• Interface with or generate custom data acquisition software and/or hardware drivers
• Familiarity in applying IEEE and IEC Standards to design solutions
• Understanding of the safety risks of electrical systems
• Best practices for electro-magnetic compatibility of instrumentation systems in environments with a high level of EM noise
• Production of engineering deliverables for design reviews, construction work packages, commissioning, operations and maintenance
• Linux
• Precision timing protocol (PTP), White Rabbit or IEEE-1588-HA
• High-speed data acquisition systems
• AVEVA or similar

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

• Radiation effect on electronics
• Magnetic field effect on electrical and electronic components
• Signal conditioning and data acquisition methods for microvolt-level signals and fibre-based sensing systems
• Software programming
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc. for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, and noise
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call

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.