Mechanical Design Engineer

Proxima Fusion, a spin‑out of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, is Europe's fastest‑growing and best‑funded fusion venture. Backed by more than €650 million and operating from Munich, Zurich and Oxford, the company is turning the Wendelstein 7‑X stellarator concept into two next‑generation machines, Alpha and Stellaris, aimed at delivering the world's first commercial fusion power plant. As a Mechanical Design Engineer you will shape the Alpha stellarator's mechanical architecture. Your work will involve creating detailed designs for key subsystems, ensuring they fit within the overall physics, mechanical and structural framework. You will perform thermal and structural assessments, suggest improvements, and run trade‑off studies on technologies and materials. Prototyping, verification and support of components, assemblies and manufacturing processes are also part of the role, together with close collaboration with external suppliers and research partners to bring designs to reality. The position requires a high‑performing individual with strong communication and problem‑solving abilities, comfortable with experimentation and learning from setbacks. You must have proven experience in designing and analysing mechanical parts and assemblies, and be proficient in CAD tools. Delivering both conceptual and detailed designs for mechanical, structural, thermal or electro‑mechanical equipment, especially in research, development, prototyping or manufacturing contexts, is essential. You should be familiar with material selection for high‑temperature, cryogenic, electromagnetic and vacuum environments, and have a track record of managing external suppliers and multidisciplinary teams in fast‑paced settings. Experience with 3DExperience/CATIA v6, ANSYS and Python programming is advantageous but not mandatory. The role sits within one of Proxima's engineering teams, with placement depending on your skill set and location, and aligns with the company's L2‑L4 framework. Working across a diverse, international team, you will contribute to a bold mission: making limitless clean energy a reality. What the role asks for: - Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills - Experience designing and analysing mechanical components and assemblies - Proficiency in CAD (general) - Experience delivering conceptual and detailed mechanical/structural/thermal designs - Knowledge of material selection for high‑temperature, cryogenic, electromagnetic, vacuum applications - Ability to manage external suppliers and multidisciplinary teams - (Nice‑to‑have) Experience with 3DExperience/CATIA v6 - (Nice‑to‑have) Experience with ANSYS - (Nice‑to‑have) Proficiency in Python programming