Design Physicist

WHO WE ARE Proxima Fusion is Europe’s fastest-growing fusion company and the continent’s best-funded fusion player, as well as the first spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP). Backed by over €650M and powered by a growing team across Munich, Zurich, and Oxford, we are developing the hardware and infrastructure needed to deliver the world’s first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. Our concept advances the most mature fusion technology out there, the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, through two next-generation machines: Alpha and Stellaris. Our work combines stellarator optimization, advanced computation, machine learning, and high-temperature superconducting magnets to unlock higher-performance designs that were previously out of reach. Turning these designs into a functioning fusion power plant requires excellence and ownership across every discipline, from physics and engineering to software, manufacturing, law, and business functions. TEAM AND ROLE - Shape the architecture of the world’s first commercial fusion power plant – Own system-level decisions that determine how a first-of-a-kind energy technology is designed, integrated, and ultimately deployed at scale. - Solve some of the most complex engineering challenges in industry – Work across tightly coupled disciplines (plasma physics, magnets, cryogenics, manufacturing, controls, and more) to resolve critical trade-offs and turn cutting-edge science into a functioning product. - Build real hardware with a pragmatic, fast-moving team from all over the world – Combine advanced simulation and systems thinking with a strong execution mindset, focusing on practical engineering solutions that accelerate the path to commercial fusion energy. WHY JOIN PROXIMA FUSION - You will get to work on some of the most complex tech challenges to bring abundant, safe, clean energy to the world. - You'll get to join and learn from an exceptional selection of accomplished and driven individuals. - Do your life’s best work and enjoy the journey. - Get to show that big things are possible in Europe when you assemble the best talent. YOUR IMPACT At Proxima Fusion, you will join a diverse and interdisciplinary team working at the frontier of fusion technology. As a Design Physicist, you will be responsible for the core of the stellarator: how to design the 3D magnetic fields that confine burning plasmas. Your work will directly influence the feasibility and performance of our commercial fusion power plants, transforming theoretical concepts into optimized, manufacturable coil systems that will power the future of clean energy. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Shape and advance reactor-relevant stellarator configurations, exploring equilibria and electromagnetic coil system designs that thoughtfully balance physics performance, engineering realities, and economic drivers. - Operate at the intersection of physics and engineering, helping to bring together magnetic field requirements and hardware considerations into a coherent, end-to-end stellarator design approach. - Build and evolve the tools that underpin stellarator design at Proxima Fusion, contributing to shared, production-grade platforms that enable confident, data-driven decisions across physics and engineering teams. WHO YOU ARE - High Performer: You thrive on solving complex, multi-physics challenges and view technical roadblocks as opportunities for professional growth. - Iterative Mindset: You are not afraid to experiment, take calculated risks, and learn from design failures. You believe that continuous iteration is the fastest path to breakthrough innovation. - Autonomous & Driven: You have a proven track record of "getting things done" and delivering results even when faced with the high ambiguity typical of cutting-edge hardware development. - Technically Credentialed: You hold a PhD (or a research-focused Master's) in Physics, Mathematics, or Engineering. Focus on stellarator design, MHD equilibrium, or stellarator coils optimization is a plus. - Software Proficient: You possess strong knowledge of Python software development and are familiar with modern collaborative coding practices (e.g., Git, CI/CD, and the PyData ecosystem). INTERVIEW PROCESS - Recruiter Interview (30-60 min) - Technical Screening (30 min) - Technical Panel (3x60 min) *This role sits at L3 of our framework, please inquire during the recruitment process for further information. At Proxima Fusion, our mission is bold: making limitless clean energy a reality. To get there, we need a high-performing, diverse team that brings different perspectives, challenges assumptions, and builds together with purpose. We know that diversity of thought and experience leads to better ideas, stronger execution, and a more resilient team. We don’t look at how you identify, what you look like, who you choose to worship or what ethnicity you are. We care about what you can bring to the table.