Manufacturing Engineer - Weekend First Shift

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 and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future.  We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private 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 Manufacturing Engineer We are looking for a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to captain our weekend operations. You will be the technical anchor for the "4th Shift," ensuring that our production of high-temperature superconducting magnets continues safely and efficiently when the weekday engineering team is offline. This role requires someone who can lead through influence, make sound decisions under pressure, and bring clarity to ambiguity in a fast-moving, First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) manufacturing environment. You will set the tone for the weekend team which will include keeping technicians focused, engaged, and operating at a high level while turning first-time challenges into scalable, repeatable processes. This is a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) manufacturing environment. We are designing the product while building the machine. Your job is to bring order to that chaos, turning "first encounters" with novel problems into standardized, repeatable processes.  The Schedule: Shift: Friday through Monday •  Friday 600 am - 2:30 pm •  Saturday and Sunday 6:00 am - 6:30 pm •  Monday 6:00 am - 2:30 pm Salary Range: $100,000 - 160,000 (includes 10% shift differential) This schedule allows for 3 consecutive days off (Tuesday–Thursday) while providing critical coverage during our high-intensity weekend builds. What you'll do:

Leadership, Ownership & Decision-Making

• Serve as the primary technical leader for weekend operations, keeping the team focused, aligned, and executing with urgency

• Make timely, high-quality decisions in ambiguous, high-pressure situations with strong judgment

• Balance production demands with safety and quality, including making tough calls such as stopping work when needed

• Lead through influence by driving alignment across teams without direct authority

• Train, mentor, and elevate technician performance while maintaining accountability in a fast-paced environment

 

Technical Mentorship & Training

• Actively train, coach, and develop technicians on high-precision manufacturing processes

• Translate complex engineering requirements into clear, actionable guidance on the floor

• Lead through positive influence, building trust and credibility with the team

• Close knowledge gaps by reinforcing both the “how” and the “why” behind the work

 

Rapid Problem Solving & Escalation

• Troubleshoot non-conformances in real time with a structured and decisive approach

• Assess severity and take appropriate action:

• Resolve process drift independently

• Escalate true design or system failures without applying short-term fixes

• Ensure issues are properly documented and communicated (Jira, etc.)

 

The Weekend–Weekday Bridge

• Serve as the critical feedback loop between weekend execution and weekday engineering teams

• Identify gaps in work instructions and drive process clarity and improvements

• Influence upstream teams by providing clear, data-driven feedback from the floor

 

Hands-on Line Leadership

• Maintain the rhythm and flow of production

• Ensure strong shift transitions and team readiness

• Confirm technicians have the tools, materials, and direction needed to succeed

What we're looking for:

BS in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent high-level technical experience)

3+ years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience

Proficient with NX (CAD) and Teamcenter (PLM)

Experience with Jira, Slack, Odoo (or similar ERP systems)

Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production systems

Experience in FOAK or rapidly scaling manufacturing environments

Bonus points for:

8+ years in high-complexity assembly environments

Experience with insulation systems similar to the electric motor industry (e.g., stator winding, VPI processes, taping, high-voltage isolation)

Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)

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