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Senior Modeling and Simulation Engineer

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Milpitas, CAFull-time$146–210K/yrPosted 2 days agoStill listed 2 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$146–210K/yr
Location
Milpitas, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Master's degree

Job overview

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Senior Modeling and Simulation Engineer to support its design team in building next-generation hardware. The role leads advanced multiphysics simulations to predict and validate complex hardware systems across thermal, structural, fluid-flow, and chemical regimes. The engineer will guide design decisions, collaborate across disciplines, and validate simulation results against physical test data from concept through prototype deployment.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Mathematical ModelingSimulationsFinite Element MethodsComputational Fluid DynamicsEngineering ManagementDesign ReviewCollaborationFinite Element AnalysisMultiphysics SimulationSimulation Data ManagementMesh ConvergenceVerification and ValidationCross-Functional CollaborationProject ManagementANSYSCOMSOL MultiphysicsFluid-Structure InteractionThermal-Structural ModelingChemical Reaction ModelingSimulation ValidationIndustry CodesTransient DynamicsPrecision Motion SystemsLifting 25 LbsStoopingClimbingStandingSittingTravelSafety

Qualifications

Master's or PhD in Engineering or Physics7+ Years Simulation ExperienceOccasional Nights, Weekends, or on-Call

Benefits

Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match

Full job description

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 Modeling and Simulation Engineer We’re looking for a Senior Modeling and Simulation Engineer to join our design team to help build next-generation hardware. In this role, you will serve as a lead technical expert for advanced simulations, driving the predictive validation of complex hardware systems. This role requires a high-level practitioner in multi-physics simulation who can comfortably model complex interactions across thermal, structural, fluid flow, and chemical regimes. If you enjoy solving deeply complex physics problems, applying rigorous modeling standards, and working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment to deliver first-of-a-kind hardware, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

What you'll do:

  • Execute Simulation and Modeling: Execute advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for advanced processing equipment
  • Run Multi-Physics Analysis: Build, run, and evaluate highly coupled simulations covering structural mechanics, high-temperature thermal management, fluid/gas flow dynamics, and chemical reaction kinetics
  • Apply Engineering Best Practices: Implement engineering workflows for simulation data management, mesh convergence criteria, and rigorous verification and validation (V&V) protocols using physical test data
  • Drive Design Reviews: Provide analytical leadership during technical design reviews, verifying structural margins, thermal stress distributions, and flow uniformity to guide design choices
  • Collaborate & Interface: Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including Mechanical Designers, Electrical Engineers, Materials Scientists, and Chemical Specialists, to translate simulation insights into actionable hardware modifications
  • Project Accountability: Own and report on modeling milestones, timelines, and computational resources to stakeholders, ensuring on-time and in-spec delivery
  • Get Things Done: Act with speed to solve critical engineering bottlenecks, validating design optimization paths from concept through prototype deployment

What we’re looking for:

  • Education: Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field with a heavy focus on computational mechanics and multi-physics modeling
  • Experience: 7+ years of experience in simulation and predictive analysis of complex R&D systems
  • Software Mastery: Advanced, hands-on expert in ANSYS, COMSOL Multi-physics, or equivalent high-end FEA/CFD simulation platforms
  • Multi-Disciplinary Analytical Expertise: Proven track record of successfully running coupled simulations (e.g., fluid-structure interaction, thermal-structural behavior, and chemical reaction modeling)
  • Empirical Correlation: Ability to bridge the gap between virtual models and the shop floor by validating simulation results against physical test metrics like strain gauge data, thermal imaging, and flow sensors

Bonus points for:

  • Standards Knowledge: Familiarity with applying industry codes to simulation-driven design validation
  • Motion & Dynamics: Experience running transient dynamic simulations or modeling precision motion systems in extreme thermal environments

Must-have requirements:

  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally
  • Perform activities such as stooping, climbing, standing, sitting for extended periods of time
  • Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
  • 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

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.

146000 - 210000 USD a year

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

How this job compares

Set against the 501 open Simulation Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 31, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$146–210K/yr
  • California median$150–232K/yr132 salary ranges
  • US median$130–203K/yr341 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $178K, is 8% below the California median midpoint ($193K) — in the middle half of Simulation Engineer salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 174 open Simulation Engineer jobs in California and 501 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
This posting asks for at least 7 years of experience; Simulation Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (416 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a master's degree; 40 of the 501 open Simulation Engineer jobs (8%) ask for a master's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 31, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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