R&D Engineer

Join the power movement as a R&D Engineer

As an R&D Engineer, you will work dynamically across multiple engineering disciplines and cross-functional teams to execute critical projects and tests on fast-paced timelines in support of CFS’s mission. Our core mandate is to systematically retire technical risks for HTS Cable Magnets by developing experiments, prototypes, and specialized test stands, followed by rigorous testing to generate high-quality data. Strong foundational knowledge in physics, mechanical engineering, electrical systems, materials science, fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis (FEA) is essential. We are privileged with a high degree of cownership of the risks assigned to us, from initial concept to final validation:

• Stakeholder Collaboration & Consensus: Partner across R&D, Design, Manufacturing, and Procurement to critically evaluate requirements, clarify test objectives, and align stakeholders on necessary outcomes and essential data
• Design & Build: Engineer and construct targeted hardware, prototypes, and custom test systems

  required to fulfill objective goals

• Testing & Commissioning: Commission setups, run experiments safely and methodically
• Sharing the results: Perform rigorous data analysis, and communicate results clearly to the broader organization. Ultimately our output is data and it is our responsibility to stand by it

What you'll do:

• Design, analyze, review, procure, and build mechanical assemblies and test equipment. Including structures, fluid systems, pressure vessels, mechanical systems, and electro-mechanical systems. We deal with extreme environments and conditions: tens of tons of load, thousands of amps, kilovolts, cryogenic temperatures etc
• Work with Test Engineers to plan tests for achieving objectives, collecting key data needed and defining instrumentation and controls necessary to obtain this data. Ensure data is reliable and validated
• Understand, challenge, and maintain well-documented requirements and risks for the system or component under test
• Identify and mitigate safety hazards associated with test equipment and prototypes. Produce safety documentation such as job hazard assessments and test readiness reviews
• Maintain documentation and schedule for projects responsible for. Documentation may include: design reviews, wiring lists, P&IDs, schematics, CAD assemblies, and drawings, and technician work instructions
• Perform any needed analysis to create successful designs. Analysis may include structural, thermal, or fluid.
• Analysis to include first principles hand calculations and/or FEA, whichever is warranted.
• Troubleshoot and resolve integration discrepancies during build, and commissioning of new designs
• Iterate on designs, equipment, and operations to improve designs

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelors degree in engineering or science field is required; Mechanical engineering or similar, or applied physics degree
• 3+ years experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, and commissioning complex mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies
• 3+ years using CAD software to design complex assemblies, producing drawings for procurement with a working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-up
• 3+ years experience with analysis of mechanical components, strength of materials and failure criteria. Familiar with use of fasteners, analysis of welds, and bolted joints
• Familiarity with electromagnetic fundamentals - voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC, right-hand rule, solenoids, etc
• Excellent troubleshooting/problem- solving skills with great attention to detail
• Effective at communicating technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences
• High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly
• A can-do attitude and an eagerness to learn and/or teach junior engineers/technicians
• Collaboration skills including active listening and facilitating a productive discourse on problems
• Ability to innovate creative solutions to challenging problems
• Willingness to challenge the status quo in search of better, more efficient methods

Bonus points for:

• 5+ years experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, and commissioning complex mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies
• 5+ years using CAD software to design complex assemblies, producing drawings for procurement with a working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-up
• 5+ years experience with analysis of mechanical components, strength of materials and failure criteria. Familiar with use of fasteners, analysis of welds, and bolted joints
• Experience with structural FEA software, especially ANSYS and COMSOL
• Experience with multi-physics analysis in ANSYS or COMSOL
• Experience using NX and Teamcenter
• Experience with high field magnet testing, traditional or superconducting
• Experience with data processing, analysis, and plotting using Python, MATLAB, or similar
• Experience with high voltage and high current power equipment design and use - power supplies, water cooled cables, insulation

Must-have requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Perform activities such as typing, climbing, standing, stooping or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics