Maintenance Lead Engineer
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WHO WE ARE
At Proxima Fusion, we're driven by a bold mission – to redefine the future of sustainable energy. Our unique concept, built upon the groundbreaking W7-X stellarator and the latest advances in technology, paves the way for commercially viable fusion power plants.
What’s more, our work in stellarator optimization, powered by cutting-edge computation and machine learning, is propelling us into uncharted territories of fusion technology. New higher performance design points are unlocked by high temperature superconducting magnets.
To fully grasp this huge opportunity, we’re building a team of extremely dedicated and passionate people who come together driving something extraordinary, radically transforming technology in the world.
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
You will lead the maintenance strategy for Proxima’s net energy stellarator, Alpha. Designing how the machine will be accessed and repaired during both planned and unplanned maintenance events. You will integrate the maintenance requirements into the Alpha design, using engineering processes and judgement to ensure that the Alpha performance can be demonstrated within the ambitious Proxima timescales. To achieve this goal you will build both internal and contracted teams to deliver the strategy through detailed design, prototyping, testing and demonstration.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Deliver the planned and unplanned maintenance strategy for Alpha. This will require a detailed understanding of the required system changes and most likely failures during the operational life of Alpha, so that the methods of repair and replacement can be designed.
Develop concepts and detailed mechanical designs for the Alpha maintenance system, generating innovative solutions to the complex engineering challenges inherent in stellarator fusion machines.
Own the identification of the Alpha failure mechanisms and effects analysis and the use of this information to drive the Alpha maintenance, operations and design strategies.
Manage and act as an expert customer for external contracts to develop, test and deliver the Alpha maintenance system design taking full account of the regulatory and safety requirements for Alpha.
Collaborate closely across the Alpha design, delivery and manufacturing teams to integrate the Alpha maintenance requirements into the stellarator design.
WHO YOU ARE
High performers with excellent communication and problem-solving skills, who love challenges and are not afraid to experiment, take risks and learn from mistakes.
Experienced engineers with recognized expertise in designing maintenance systems for complex mechanical systems with proficiency in CAD (experience with CATIA beneficial but not essential).
Experience in the identification of failure mechanisms for complex mechanical systems at an early stage of development
Knowledge of thermal, mechanical and safety engineering principles relevant to high-energy physics environments.
Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments, making informed decisions with limited data, and managing trade-offs among competing requirements.
Demonstrated ability to manage contracted external work packages within multidisciplinary technical teams in fast-paced, dynamic settings.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Recruiter Interview (30-60 min).
Technical Screening (30 min).
Technical Panel (3x60 min).
CEO call (30 min).
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.
About Proxima Fusion
Proxima Fusion was founded in April 2023 as a spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, bringing together scientists and engineers from IPP, MIT, and X Development. Co-founded by Dr Francesco Sciortino (CEO, PhD in plasma physics from MIT) and Dr Lucio Milanese (COO, PhD in theoretical plasma physics from MIT, formerly McKinsey), the company is developing quasi-isodynamic stellarators combined with high-temperature superconducting magnets to build the world's first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. Proxima has partnered with RWE and the Free State of Bavaria on a planned €2B facility near Munich. The company has raised €200M to date, including a Series A led by Cherry Ventures and Balderton Capital with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Plural, and others. Proxima maintains a UK presence at the Culham Campus and a London-registered entity.