Laser Diagnostician

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.

BY JOINING OUR TEAM YOU’LL GET TO

• 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 – 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.
• Design 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.

YOUR IMPACT

As a Laser Aided Plasma diagnostician you will be designing and building some of the most important diagnostics on the Alpha stellarator. This role provides a unique opportunity to work alongside other diagnostic experts, software engineers, fusion scientists, and fusion engineers, making a tangible impact on the future of clean energy. The role will require the management of the full product lifecycle of this important diagnostic form conception, through design, review, testing, installation, calibration, operation and maintenance on the Alpha stellarator.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead the design and build of the Thomson Scattering (TS) diagnostic to be deployed on the Alpha stellarator to measure spatial profiles of electron density and temperature.
• Lead the design and build of the plasma density diagnostic to be deployed on the Alpha stellarator to measure the line integrated electron density using a laser based two colour or dispersion interferometer.
• Develop a detailed diagnostic specification able deliver the measurement performance required.
• Work with the engineering team on Alpha to establish a robust implementation of the TS and plasma density diagnostics.
• Prepare and execute plans for all the steps required to implement the diagnostic and bring it into operations: design, procure, build, test, install, commission, calibrate, operate and maintain.
• Oversee and undertake/delegate/subcontract packages of work as part of the plan to ensure successful completion of the laser based diagnostics.

WHO YOU ARE

• A Master’s degree or higher in physics, engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Have experience using class IV lasers: a high energy (Joule level) pulsed lasers and/or high power CW infra-red single longitudinal mode lasers.
• Have worked on at least one laser based diagnostic instrument on a large infrastructure machine (accelerator, telescope, laser or fusion device)
• Strong knowledge of geometric optics and light propagation in optical systems.
• Experience of designing and building a Thomson scattering system and or an interferometer for a plasma device would be an advantage.
• Working knowledge of Python software development and modern tool chains (uv, git etc.)
• Experience using optical design software for ray-tracing would be an advantage

INTERVIEW PROCESS

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

This role sits at L2/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.