Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Principal Mechanical Engineer - Web Handling
Milpitas, CA · Principal · Contract
Stay score
odds of building a lasting career here
Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~61% per draw at Level IV). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.
Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.
Personalize to your clock →H-1B wage level
the lottery is wage-weighted — each level is one more entry
$2,530 more — $189,530 — moves this role to Level IV and 4 lottery entries. That figure is inside the range the employer already advertised.
Based on the DOL prevailing wage for this occupation and worksite, a base salary of $189,530 would place this position at wage Level IV. That figure is within the posted range, and I'd like to target it. This role classifies under "Mechanical Engineers" for prevailing-wage purposes.
DOL prevailing wage, 2026-27 wage year · Mechanical Engineers (17-2141) · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA. Wage level is derived by USCIS from the offered wage, occupation and worksite; the occupation shown is inferred from the job title.
Community outcomes
No reports yet — be the first to help the next applicant.
About the role
- 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.
- If that's you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.
Responsibilities
- Lead Cross-Functional Strategy: Translate complex scientific R&D objectives into actionable engineering architectures, bridging mechanical design, process physics, electrical hardware, and closed-loop controls across multiple project groups
- Establish Division Standards: Institutionalize company-wide engineering standards, design guidelines, and testing methodologies for web handling, precision roller design, bearing selection, and mechatronics
- Drive Process & Tool Innovation: Pioneer novel mechanical concepts, dynamic guiding schemes, and non-contact web transport modules operating inside temperature zones
- Independently Manage Risk: Identify, evaluate, and mitigate high-impact technical risks across major equipment initiatives, establishing contingency paths and robust design margins
- Direct Strategic Vendor Partnerships: Audit, qualify, and direct global suppliers and contract manufacturers for specialized R2R sub-assemblies, precision ground rollers, custom surface coatings, and drive components
- Organization-Wide Mentorship: Actively coach and mentor Staff, Senior, and Junior mechanical engineers, elevating technical rigor, design review standards, and professional development across the discipline.
- Lead Cross-Functional Strategy:
- Translate complex scientific R&D objectives into actionable engineering architectures, bridging mechanical design, process physics, electrical hardware, and closed-loop controls across multiple project groups
- Institutionalize company-wide engineering standards, design guidelines, and testing methodologies for web handling, precision roller design, bearing selection, and mechatronics
- Drive Process & Tool Innovation:
Skills
- Bonus points for:
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems:
Compensation
- $187k-$270k
Benefits
- Drive advanced dynamic modeling, web physics analysis, and experimental validation to resolve critical web defects (e.g., thermal buckling, lateral drift, scratching, or tension transients) in flexible metal substrates
Company info
- 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.
- What we're looking for:
- At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique.
Equal opportunity
- equal opportunity employer by choice.
Visa & Work Authorization
- 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 orien
This listing is sourced directly from Commonwealth Fusion Systems's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.