Automation Engineer – Magnet Industrialisation

Proxima Fusion, Europe's fastest‑growing fusion company and the first spin‑out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, is building the hardware and infrastructure for the world's first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. As an Automation Engineer, Magnet Industrialisation you will help turn high‑temperature superconducting magnet designs into production‑ready hardware, supporting the company's Alpha and Stellaris programs. In this position you will advise on future line design and automation concepts, define the functional requirements for automation cells that perform welding, bonding, sealing and coating, and contribute to control‑strategy development for new production lines. You will build and commission automation cells, run factory‑acceptance tests at supplier sites, evaluate manufacturing and in‑process monitoring approaches, and design jigs and tools that enable scalable, repeatable magnet production. Close collaboration with engineers and technicians across multiple teams is a core part of the daily work. The role requires a master's degree in mechanical, mechatronics or a comparable engineering discipline, extensive experience in robotics, automation and process monitoring within an industrial environment, and strong hands‑on production experience across processes such as welding, machining, assembly or bonding. You must be proficient with robotic simulation and offline programming tools (e.g., RoboGuide, RobotStudio, Process Simulate), familiar with industrial communication protocols such as OPC UA, Ethernet or Profinet, and capable of industrial‑level PLC programming. A reliable, proactive, solution‑oriented mindset, strong teamwork skills and a high‑performer attitude that embraces challenges are also essential. Additional advantages include experience in both prototype and full‑scale industrial manufacturing, good knowledge of CATIA V5 or 3DExperience CAD tools, exposure to SCADA or MES integration, familiarity with Beckhoff PLC and motion‑control systems, and an understanding of safety standards and risk assessments for automated environments. The role sits within a highly ambitious, multidisciplinary team that blends cutting‑edge simulation with hands‑on engineering, offering the chance to work on some of the most complex technology challenges in clean‑energy fusion. What the role asks for: - Master's degree in mechanical, mechatronics or similar engineering field - Wide experience in robotics, automation and process monitoring - Strong hands‑on experience in production environments - Experience with robotic simulation and offline programming - Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (OPC UA, Ethernet, Profinet) - Proficient in industrial‑level PLC programming - Reliable, proactive, solution‑oriented mindset - Strong team player - High performer who loves challenges - Familiarity with prototype and industrial manufacturing (nice-to-have) - Proficiency in CAD (Catia V5 or 3DExperience) (nice-to-have) - Exposure to SCADA systems or MES integration (nice-to-have) - Familiarity with Beckhoff PLC and motion control (nice-to-have) - Knowledge of safety standards and risk assessments (nice-to-have)