Working Student Intern
Proxima Fusion
Working Student Intern
Proxima Fusion
Develops commercial fusion reactors using QI-HTS
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 opportunity, we’re building a team of 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
Join Proxima's Alpha Engineering Design team and help build Alpha, our flagship machine and the world's first high-temperature superconducting stellarator. Alpha is designed to de-risk the technologies needed for Stellaris, our future fusion power plant.
You'll take on a well-defined engineering project with real impact on Alpha's design. You'll work closely with experienced engineers and a technical mentor, and learn how a fusion machine goes from concept to hardware. Your role would be in the Magnet Support Structures team, responsible for structural and thermomechanical analysis of the systems that hold the superconducting coils in place under extreme electromagnetic and cryogenic loads.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Contribute to the design, analysis or testing of Alpha systems, working with the physics, mechanical and structural teams.
Carry out engineering studies such as finite element simulations, design trade-offs, prototyping, experiments or simulation development, depending on your area.
Document your results and present them to the team, and turn your findings into concrete design recommendations.
WHO YOU ARE
Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Robotics/Mechatronics, or a related field. You must stay enrolled for the whole internship or working student contract.
High performers with excellent communication and problem-solving skills who love challenges and are not afraid to experiment, take risks, and learn from mistakes.
Curious, proactive and a strong problem-solver. You like hard challenges and aren't afraid to experiment, take risks and learn from mistakes.
Experience in designing and analysing mechanical components and assemblies, with proficiency in CAD (experience with 3DExperience/CATIA v6 and ANSYS is highly beneficial, but not essential).
Experience in designing and delivering the conceptual and detailed design of mechanical, structural, thermal or electro-mechanical equipment, particularly for use in research, development, prototyping and manufacturing.
Knowledge and experience of designing and selecting materials for some or all of the following engineering applications: high temperature, cryogenic, electromagnetic, vacuum.
Proficiency with programming languages used in science and engineering (particularly Python) is highly beneficial but not essential.
LOGISTICS
Office: Munich, on-site.
Timings: 3 - 12 months full-time (part-time is possible) as an intern.
Start: Flexible between January - March 2027
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Behavioural and Technical Screening (30 min)
Technical Panel (1x60 min)
This role sits at L1 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.
Develops commercial fusion reactors using QI-HTS
Proxima Fusion designs and builds fusion power plants based on quasi-isodynamic high-temperature-superconductor (QI-HTS) stellarators. Its main project, Alpha, is a net-energy stellarator demonstrator near Munich developed with partners Bavaria, IPP and RWE to test and prove the technology before a commercial Stellaris plant planned for the 2030s. The company leverages its roots as the first Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics spin-out and uses advanced HTS magnets to create steady magnetic confinement for fusion plasma, enabling a scalable path to power generation. Proxima differentiates itself by pursuing a clear commercial roadmap from a world-class research lineage, collaboration with industry and government partners, and a focus on the Stellaris design to move from a demonstrator to a market-ready fusion power plant. The goal is to deliver commercially viable fusion energy, moving from the Alpha demonstrator to fully commercial Stellaris plants in the 2030s.
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