Investment in private fusion energy companies is at an all-time high. The Fusion Industry Association has over 50 companies in its membership, accounting for over $10 billion in funds raised. However, there are enormous engineering challenges that stand in the way of a robust fusion energy industry. In this talk, I will discuss two broad challenge areas: (1) tritium self-sufficiency in deuterium-tritium (DT) fueled fusion power plants (FPP), and (2) the development of materials that can perform in the extremely harsh FPP environment. I will provide an overview of the broad R&D strategies proposed by the U.S. fusion community as part of national roadmapping efforts in these areas. I will highlight recent research campaigns in these areas at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), while also having a frank discussion of the practical difficulties associated with scaling this research from the lab to a commercial FPP.