Senior Director, SPARC Plant Operations

Responsibilities

• Lead the SPARC Plant Operations team to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the fusion power plant and its mechanical and electrical systems
• Develop and manage shift schedules, on-call rotations, and 24/7 operational readiness
• Establish and maintain plant operations manuals, emergency response protocols, and comprehensive training programs
• Execute a comprehensive plant maintenance strategy, including preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance
• Collaborate with Plasma Physics and Engineering teams to maximize experimental time and maintain facility integrity
• Recruit, hire, and mentor a high-performing team of operators, technicians, and support staff
• Drive continuous improvement by tracking reliability metrics and leading root cause analysis

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field or equivalent experience
• 15+ years of experience managing operations of large process facilities (e.g., power plants, scientific facilities, or process manufacturing)
• Proven experience operating large process systems such as power plants, chemicals, oil/gas, or cryogenics
• Extensive experience managing both salaried and hourly staff
• Strong leadership, team-building, and mentoring skills for both engineers and technicians
• Ability to work in an industrial hazard environment (including heat, cold, high voltage, and cryogenics)
• Willingness to work required nights, weekends, or on-call shifts

Preferred Qualifications

• Operational experience with first-of-a-kind facilities or new technologies
• Experience with the commissioning of plant process systems
• Experience working in radiation-controlled environments

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with equity
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Flexible vacation days and 10 sick days
• 13 company-wide holidays
• Generous parental leave policy
• Professional growth opportunities

About the Company

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 to build the energy industry of the future.