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Principal Scientist Radio Frequency Plasma Heating
Job Location:
Job Location:
Devens, MA - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 150000 - 225000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
22 August 2026 (15 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
19 November 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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 were designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And were working with policymakers suppliers and many others to build the energy industry of the future.
Were in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018 weve raised $4 billion of capital making us the largest and leading fusion company in the world.
Now were looking for more thinkers doers builders and makers to join us. People wholl bring new perspectives solve tough problems and thrive as part of a team.
If thats you and this role fits we want to hear from you.
Join the power movement as a Principal Scientist - Radio Frequency Plasma Heating
CFS is looking for an enthusiastic experimental RF Scientist/Engineer to join the team to operate the SPARC ion cyclotron heating system and study RF physics/engineering in SPARC and ARC.
The SPARC tokamak aims to be the first magnetic confinement device to achieve net energy and is predicted to have up to Q11 in DT producing up to 140 MW of fusion power. The sole auxiliary heating for SPARC is a 120 MHz 25 MW (coupled) Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICRH) system that will launch into SPARC via an array of 14 4-strap ICRH antennas. The novel solid-state 120 MHz sources and the ICRH antennas are already in production.
The Ion Cyclotron Discharge Cleaning (ICDC) System provides one of several mechanisms to clean and condition the exposed surfaces within the Tokamak confinement vessel including boronization of plasma facing components. The ICDC System is similar in design but wholly distinct from the ICRF with its own transmitter transmission network and antennas.
The Scientist Radio Frequency Plasma Heating will be vital to the successful commissioning and operation of both the ICRH and ICDC systems. They will prepare for commissioning via simulations of the antennas and the plasmas and then will be a key part of the team to operate SPARC and to design ARC.What youll do:
- Simulate the SPARC ICRH antennas and RF network system to inform commissioning and operation
- Contribute to testing of ICRH/ICDC components
- Inform the implementation of the RF control system and operator interfaces
- Contribute to the development of commissioning and operation plans and procedures for the ICRH/ICDC system
- Commission the SPARC ICRH/ICDC system into early plasmas
- Operate the SPARC ICRH system during Q>1 and high power DT plasmas
- Study the physics of radio frequency waves in SPARC
- Provide input to ARC design through simulation and modeling efforts
- Work with multi-institutional team of collaborators from universities and national labs
What were looking for:
- PhD in plasma physics or a closely related discipline
- 7 years experience (post degree) working with radio frequency heating current drive or discharge cleaning systems in fusion plasmas (this may include ion cyclotron lower hybrid helicon or other similar wave systems)
- Experience running experiments on tokamaks stellarators or similar plasma confinement devices
- Experience developing hardware for plasma physics experiments
- Experience working with COMSOL ANSYS HFSS CST or similar finite element tools
- A desire for active participation in tokamak design and operations
- A drive toward practical solutions to integrated physics and engineering challenges
- Expertise in ICRF plasma physics fusion engineering and fusion power plant design
Bonus points for:
- 10 years experience in operating and/or simulating RF heating of plasmas
- Experience with Python
- Experience designing ICRH system RF diagnostics control and operation tools and procedures for radio frequency heating
- Experience modelling ICDC physics
Must-have Requirements:
- Perform extended activities such as typing standing sitting etc.
- Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call regularly; expected to travel 1-2 times per year for conferences
- 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
$150000 - $225000 a year
Salary range for this full-time position equity benefits.The actual salary will depend on level location qualifications and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Benefits include:
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
#LI-Onsite
At CFS we excel in fast-paced environments driven by our values of integrity execution impact and self-critique. As we grow were 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.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
