Microwave Design Engineer

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

As a microwave design engineer, you will help build the basis for the millimeter wave hardware that acts as the spark plug to initiate a fusion plasma and raises its temperature to greater than 100 million degrees. Join the team to advance our microwave modeling and be a key player in the thermo-mechanical design of high-power components. You will also help build and test these microwave RF components in the lab, before installing them at scale on our scientific breakeven Alpha stellarator.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Provide innovative solutions to complex microwave radiofrequency engineering challenges by collaborating closely with physicists to ensure the component designs meet the Alpha plasma physics and thermal-mechanical constraints.

• Develop designs and evaluate vendor designs to determine an optimal path to efficiently deliver our power to the stellarator - driving down the denominator of input power that will limit fusion power plant gain Q=Pout/Pin - and drive down costs.

• Draw from and contribute to our stellarator development process, interfacing your radio frequency components with other stellarator systems.

• Perform mechanical and thermal analysis and sensitivity studies for component viability under the loads and stresses imposed by the combination of vacuum, magnetic fields, temperatures, and MW-scale RF loads.

• Interface with the Alpha project management teams to realize the delivery of RF components and meet the tight Proxima timelines.

WHO YOU ARE

• A highly capable engineer with experience in millimeter waves and MW-scale RF loads. Knowledge of the tools and best practices for designing high power microwave systems and capable of performing and optimizing modeling at 200 GHz frequencies to achieve thermal, mechanical and plasma heating performance goals.

• Demonstrated familiarity with python scripting and modeling codes such as SURF3D, CST, COMSOL, GdfidL, openEMS or custom developed codes for millimeter wave design. Experience with mechanical design analysis and design tools such as Ansys and Catia are also desirable.

• Experience validating first-of-a-kind designs with uncertain performance, working as part of a team on multi-scale and multi-physics simulations, testing, and prototyping.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively.

• Experience operating microwave RF components such as gyrotrons, transmission systems, launchers, windows and mirrors.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Recruiter Interview (30–45 min)

• Panel Interviews (3 rounds, 60 min each)

• 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.