Senior Director, SPARC Plant Operations

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 Senior Director, SPARC Plant Operations The individual selected for this role will function as the leader of the SPARC Plant Operations team and will be accountable for the safe and reliable operation of the SPARC Plant, which comprises all the various mechanical and electrical plant systems that enable operation of the tokamak. The SPARC Operations Director will be accountable to establish a high performing Operations and Maintenance team as well as continuous improvement of the processes and procedures that govern their work. This role collaborates extensively with the Plasma Physics Program and Engineering teams to maximize experimental time and to maintain facility integrity.

Plant Utilization

Develop and manage shift schedules, on-call rotations and vacation planning to ensure 24/7 operational coverage and readiness

Collaborate with the SPARC Plant Engineering and SPARC Plasma Operations team to ensure the plant is functionally ready to execute operational experiments

Oversee all daily pre-operational checks and plant startup/shutdown procedures

Manage all operational consumables and spares (e.g. gases, cryogens, chemicals, diesel fuel, equipment spare parts)

Operations Programs

Develop and maintain plant operations manuals, procedures, and emergency response protocols

Develop and implement comprehensive training programs, including initial qualification, continuing training, and specialized skill development

Develop and implement plant operations work controls, energy control procedures, and simultaneous operations coordination processes

Develop and implement robust alarm and notification systems and standards for efficient operator response to maintain facility integrity and personnel safety

Maintenance and Asset Management

Develop and execute a comprehensive plant maintenance strategy, incorporating preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance

Plan and manage the schedule for all maintenance windows, minimizing downtime and maximizing plant availability

Oversee the execution of all maintenance activities, ensuring work is performed safely, to a high standard, and documented correctly

Work with the Engineering team to plan and carry out necessary maintenance and upgrades in between scheduled usage

Continuous Improvement and Performance

Track key reliability metrics to understand overall performance

Champion a culture of continuous improvement by actively identifying opportunities to enhance safety, reduce operational costs, and increase plant efficiency and reliability

Lead cross-functional teams to execute continuous improvement projects using Root Cause Analysis and other similar methodologies

Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for plant operations and use data-driven insights to guide improvement initiatives

Team

Recruit, hire, and onboard a high-performing team of plant operators, technicians, and support staff

Foster a strong, positive, and safety-first culture within the operations team

Authorities

Approve and enforce all operating procedures, training manuals, and protocols

Execute maintenance work orders and direct the execution of scheduled maintenance and upgrade projects planned in coordination with the SPARC Engineering Director

Make decisions regarding hiring and mentoring of the Operations Team

Manage and direct the utilization of external maintenance contracts to provide surge support and specialized maintenance

Shutdown operation of the machine if immediate personnel safety or facility integrity is compromised

Accountabilities

Accountable for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the SPARC facility strictly within design basis operating parameters

Accountable for maintaining 24/7 operational readiness and full staffing coverage of all critical shifts

Accountable for the quality, accuracy, and standardization of all operations and maintenance procedures

Accountable for effective collaboration with the SPARC Engineering team to execute scheduled maintenance and maximize facility availability for experiments

Bachelor's degree in an engineering field or equivalent experience

15+ years experience managing operations of large process facilities, such as power plants, scientific facilities, or process manufacturing facilities

Experience with operating large process systems, such as a power plant, chemicals, oil/gas, cryogenics, or others

Experienced managing salaried and hourly staff

Strong people management skills of both small and large teams

Leadership, team-building, and mentoring skills for both engineers and technicians

Demonstrated ability to build trust with front line employees and identify issues first hand

Executes long-term departmental strategy using sound judgment to align tactical initiatives with overall organizational goals

Ensures cross-functional alignment through proven, effective communication with diverse stakeholders and executive leadership

Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment

Strong attention to safety and the creation of a safety culture

Operational experience with first-of-a-kind facilities or other new technology

Experience with commissioning of plant process systems

Experience working in radiation controlled environments

Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, typing standing 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

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