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, suppliers, and many others to build the energy industry of the future.
We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised $4 billion of capital, making us the largest and leading 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 Fiber Optics Manufacturing Engineer
As a Fiber Optics Manufacturing Engineer at CFS, you will play a critical role in developing, scaling, and continuously improving manufacturing processes for fiber optic cables and assemblies. You will work closely with Fiber Optic Specialists, production technicians, design engineering, quality, test, supply chain, and other cross-functional teams to transition fiber optic products from development into reliable, repeatable production.
You will combine strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals with an understanding of fiber optic processes and product requirements. You will help turn hands-on fiber optic expertise into robust manufacturing processes, tooling, documentation, process controls, and production systems that enable high-quality, high-yield manufacturing.
This role will split work between our Devens, MA and Somerville, MA locations.
What you'll do:
Partner with Fiber Optic Specialists and production teams to develop, standardize, and continuously improve fiber optic manufacturing processes
Transition fiber optic products and processes from R&D and prototype builds into repeatable, scalable production
Develop, implement, and qualify manufacturing processes for fiber optic cables and assemblies, balancing quality, optical performance, throughput, cost, and production rate
Develop and optimize processes for fiber handling, routing, splicing, wrapping, jacketing, bonding, termination, and cable assembly as applicable
Develop manufacturing processes and controls that prevent fiber damage, including excessive bending, pinching, tension, handling, routing, and other sources of optical or mechanical degradation
Develop and optimize tooling, fixtures, equipment, and workstations to enable repeatable fiber optic manufacturing while protecting sensitive fiber and cable components
Partner with Design Engineering to apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles and ensure product designs are manufacturable at production scale
Establish manufacturing process parameters, acceptance criteria, inspection methods, and process controls for critical fiber optic processes
Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process flow diagrams, pFMEAs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process control plans
Partner with Quality and Test Engineering to develop effective inspection and test methods for critical fiber optic requirements
Use manufacturing and optical performance data to identify sources of variation, establish process capability, and improve first-pass yield, scrap, rework, cycle time, and throughput
Troubleshoot manufacturing and quality issues using structured root-cause analysis, experiments, data analysis, and hands-on investigation
Lead continuous improvement and RCCA projects that improve manufacturing yield, reduce fiber damage and scrap, and increase process robustness
Provide hands-on technical support and training to Fiber Optic Specialists and production personnel on processes, tooling, equipment, work instructions, and best practices
Support manufacturing capacity planning, equipment requirements, production readiness, and process scaling
Ensure manufacturing processes meet applicable safety, quality, and production requirements
What we're looking for:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Optical Engineering, or equivalent work experience
5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including experience developing or improving fiber optic, optical, cable assembly, precision assembly, or other technically sensitive manufacturing processes
Experience working directly with fiber optic manufacturing, cable assembly, optical fiber handling, splicing, testing, or related precision processes
Strong understanding of manufacturing process development, process control, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement
Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, RCCA, DOE, SPC, process capability, or other structured problem-solving methodologies
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use manufacturing and test data to identify root causes and drive process improvements
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineers, Fiber Optic Specialists, technicians, quality, test, and other cross-functional teams
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities
Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety, quality, and execution
Bonus points for:
Experience with fiber optic cable manufacturing, fiber routing, splicing, termination, wrapping, jacketing, or optical assemblies
Experience with optical performance measurements such as attenuation, insertion loss, continuity, spectral analysis, or related fiber optic test methods
Familiarity with OTDR, OSA, OBR, optical power meters, or other fiber optic test equipment
Experience working with coated, polyimide, or other specialty fibers
Experience with fiber proof testing or other mechanical qualification methods
Experience developing processes for products with tight mechanical, geometric, or optical requirements
Experience designing or procuring manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and process controls
Experience with CAD software and the ability to read and understand technical drawings, including GD&T and tolerance stack-ups
Proficiency in work instruction writing, process mapping, time studies, capacity modeling, and manufacturing data analysis
Experience developing equipment specifications and maintenance plans
High self-motivation and drive to execute quickly with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
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
#LI-Onsite
At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re 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.
