Engineering Technician

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.

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, we're developing the world's leading stellarator technology. To turn cutting-edge designs into reality, we need skilled technicians who can bring complex, first-of-a-kind hardware to life. As a Technician at Proxima Fusion, you'll work hands-on with Proxima-designed components, magnets, mechanical assemblies and other critical systems, supporting their build, assembly, integration and testing.

Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality, you'll help turn ambitious designs into reliable hardware, solve practical challenges on the shop floor and contribute to developing the processes and tooling needed to build Alpha. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced engineering and hands-on manufacturing, helping build one of Europe's most ambitious engineering projects.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Build, assemble and modify prototypes, experimental hardware, custom tooling and development rigs for engineering and special projects across the programme.
• Turn engineering drawings, models, and sketches into practical hardware. Clarify missing requirements and agree the build approach with the responsible engineer before committing to uncertain or irreversible steps.
• Fabricate and adapt components using fitting, cutting, drilling, soldering, bonding and assembly techniques within your competence. Coordinate specialist machining, welding or other work when needed.
• Identify buildability issues early, including tolerance stacks, inaccessible fasteners, component fit and assembly sequence, and provide practical feedback to the design team.
• Prepare and run development trials, including winding, joining, insulation and impregnation trials as assigned. Install instrumentation, commission rigs with engineers, take measurements and record what changed and what happened.
• Investigate unexpected behaviour, propose practical fixes and work through build-test-modify iterations with engineers.
• Organise the practical delivery of assigned projects: source small parts and consumables through agreed purchasing routes, arrange tools and build activities, and keep the workshop ready for use. Communicate progress, blockers and changing priorities to the lead technician.
• Keep clear as-built records, annotated drawings, photographs, settings and trial observations so another technician can reproduce the work and understand each modification.
• Transfer proven prototypes and methods to manufacturing or routine testing through initial work instructions, tooling, assembly sequences, training and technical handovers.
• Work with engineers to identify hazards and establish the necessary risk assessments and controls before starting work on unproven hardware.

WHO YOU ARE

• A technical apprenticeship or vocational qualification in mechanical, electrical, mechatronic or related engineering work, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Hands-on experience building, modifying and troubleshooting mechanical or electromechanical hardware in a workshop, laboratory, development or advanced manufacturing environment.
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings, tolerances and 3D models, with working familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and practical measurement skills.
• Confident hand-tool and workshop skills, sound fabrication and assembly judgement, and a willingness to develop unfamiliar techniques.
• Resourcefulness with incomplete information: you investigate, ask useful questions, find suitable parts and propose a practical next step while keeping the engineering objective clear.
• Sound judgement about technical uncertainty, safety and when a build or design change requires engineering review before proceeding.
• The ability to organise work, adapt to agreed priority changes and document configurations and findings clearly.
• Working English for technical discussions, drawings, instructions and build records.

NICE TO HAVE

• Specialist fabrication skills such as manual or CNC machining, sheet-metal work, welding, brazing or additive manufacturing.
• Experience creating or modifying simple parts and fixtures in CATIA, SolidWorks, Fusion 360 or similar CAD tools.
• Experience with instrumentation, sensors, data acquisition, electrical wiring, vacuum, cryogenics or superconducting hardware.
• Experience with composites, resins, vacuum bagging, insulation or impregnation.
• Experience taking first-of-a-kind hardware or a prototype process through to repeatable manufacturing and technical handover.
• German language skills.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Recruiter Interview (30-60 min)
• Technical Screening (30 min)
• Technical Panel (3x60 min)
• CEO call (30 min)

This job would require frequent travels to our office in Villigen ( Zurich, CH)

• 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.