Manufacturing Engineer

YOUR IMPACT

Develop and industrialize the manufacturing processes used to build HTS magnet coils.

Translate magnet designs into repeatable, high-yield production processes in collaboration with design, physics, and production teams.

Own the tooling, fixtures, and quality systems required to deliver consistent and reliable manufacturing outcomes.

Lead process development from prototype builds through the transition to full-scale manufacturing.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop, qualify, and continuously improve manufacturing processes for HTS coil winding, insulation, impregnation, and joining, working closely with magnet design and materials engineers.

• Drive design-for-manufacturing/design-for-assembly (DFM/DFA) collaboration with the design team, acting as the manufacturing voice in design reviews to keep coil designs buildable, scalable, and serviceable.

• Design, procure, and validate tooling, fixtures, and jigs for precision winding and assembly of non-planar coil geometries, including capability studies where needed.

• Define assembly sequences, work instructions, SOPs, and visual aids for technicians, and maintain this documentation as designs evolve.

• Define and implement process controls and inspection methods (dimensional, electrical, structural) to catch defects early and protect conductor integrity.

• Lead NPI campaigns, process trials and pilot builds, and provide hands-on floor support during prototype and early production builds.

• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions (8D, 5-Why, fishbone, etc.) for yield, quality, and cycle-time issues, and apply Lean/Six Sigma principles to drive measurable process improvement.

• Support supplier qualification and incoming inspection criteria for tooling, components, and outsourced subassemblies.

• Manage engineering/process change control as designs and processes mature.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, quality, supply chain, and test engineering to resolve manufacturability issues early and support the ramp from prototype to serial production.

WHO YOU ARE

• 3+ years specifying, procuring, installing, commissioning, and qualifying production equipment and/or automation for component manufacturing lines and/or assembly cells — including RFQ ownership, supplier management, FAT/SAT, and production ramp.

• Hands-on experience designing tooling and fixtures for low-volume, high-precision production, and proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) plus a solid grasp of GD&T.

• Track record of writing clear work instructions, SOPs, and process documentation in a production or NPI environment.

• Working knowledge of process control, statistical methods, and structured root-cause problem solving (SPC, FMEA, 8D).

• Experience supporting prototype or first-article builds directly on the floor, not just from a desk.

• Strong communication skills in German or English.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.

Nice to have:

• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for engineering change control and manufacturing documentation management (e.g. Arena, Enovia).

• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)/Platforms (e.g. Tulip, Delmia).

• Experience working in a research-to-product transition environment, where designs and processes evolve rapidly.

• Experience scaling a process from prototype to serial production in a startup or fast-moving environment.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Recruiter Interview (30-60 min)

• Technical Screening (30 min)

• Technical Panel (3x60 min)

• CEO call (30 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.