Realtime Controls Software Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Devens, MA
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have experience in real-time control algorithms and simulation frameworks.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a background in real-time control systems and simulation for energy applications
    — “design and implementation of real-time control algorithms”
  • Individuals who have worked with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) testbeds and mission-critical software
    — “Develop software infrastructure to operate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) and software-only testbeds”
  • Proficient C++ and Python developers with a focus on production-ready code for real-time systems
    — “Your algorithms will generally be implemented in C++ and run as a Linux application”

Things to consider

  • The role demands a high level of safety awareness in industrial environments
    — “Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards”
  • Travel, nights, weekends, and on-call availability may be required
    — “Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with real-time state estimation and control algorithms in your resume and interviews
    — “Professional experience writing real-time state estimation and control algorithms”
  • Emphasize your background in developing simulation models for validation
    — “Develop simulation models and model infrastructure for both real-time and off-line (high fidelity) simulations”
  • Showcase your proficiency with modern software development practices like CI/CD and unit testing
    — “Experience with modern software development lifecycle practices (CI/CD, git version control, unit testing, integration testing, etc)”
  • Demonstrate your ability to integrate software with hardware testbeds and production tools
    — “work with a variety of engineers to integrate your software into software testbeds, hardware testbeds, and the production tools”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • mission-critical control algorithms
  • hardware communication software
  • simulation models
  • data analysis tools
  • validated control software
Typical background
software engineeringreal-time systemscontrol systems

Skills & requirements

Required

Real-time Control AlgorithmsHardware CommunicationSimulation FrameworksLinux Application DevelopmentC++PythonCI/CDGit Version ControlUnit TestingIntegration TestingState EstimationControl AlgorithmsHITL TestbedsOffline Data AnalysisEnd-to-end TestingSafety Protocols

Preferred

RustHardware-in-the-loop TestbedsModel ValidationLinuxNetworking (ip/udp)Team CollaborationSoftware Ecosystem Improvement

Stack & domain

Real-time Control AlgorithmsHardware CommunicationSimulation FrameworksC++LinuxPythonHardware-in-the-loop (hitl)Software-only TestbedsData Analysis ToolsEnd-to-end TestingIntegration TestingUnit TestingGit Version ControlCI/CDLinux ApplicationState EstimationNetworking (ip/udp)Problem-solvingCommunicationTeamworkAdaptabilityLeadershipAttention To DetailAnalytical ThinkingProject ManagementFusion EnergyEngineeringSoftware EngineeringReal-time SystemsControl SystemsSimulationData Analysis

About the role

Original posting from Commonwealth Fusion Systems via Lever

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 Senior Algorithms and Simulation Software Engineer

In this role you will be responsible for the design and implementation of real-time control algorithms, hardware communication, plus models and simulation frameworks necessary to verify those algorithms. Your algorithms will be used in critical, hard real-time applications in the SPARC project, as well as related projects. Your algorithms will generally be implemented in C++ and run as a Linux application.

As a member of the Software Engineering team, you will be a hands-on technical contributor.  You will be a champion of writing excellent quality, production-ready code for mission-critical real-time systems. You will collect functional requirements from customers and produce software solutions to meet these requirements.

You will work with a variety of engineers to integrate your software into software testbeds, hardware testbeds, and the production tools.  You will also contribute to the broader software ecosystem to improve tooling and processes used across the company.

What you'll do::

  • Develop mission-critical control algorithms
  • Develop software to communicate with hardware sensors/actuators
  • Develop software infrastructure to operate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) and software-only testbeds
  • Develop simulation models and model infrastructure for both real-time and off-line (high fidelity) simulations
  • Develop offline data analysis tools
  • Help define and execute end-to-end and other integrated test cases and test plans to validate SPARC control software

What we’re looking for::

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field (computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, etc.)
  • 5+ years relevant experience
  • Professional experience writing real-time state estimation and control algorithms
  • Experience with modern software development lifecycle practices (CI/CD, git version control, unit testing, integration testing, etc)
  • Proficiency with Python
  • Proficiency with at least one real-time control language (C++, Rust, etc)

Bonus points for::

  • Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop testbeds and software-only testbeds for validating control software
  • Experience writing models to validate software
  • Familiarity with Linux
  • Familiarity with general networking (IP/UDP)

Must-have Requirements::

  • Perform activities such as typing, standing, sitting, etc. for extended periods of time
  • Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics
  • Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call

Compensation:

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-Hybrid

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.

Source: Commonwealth Fusion Systems careers (Lever)

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