Numerical Modeling Engineer

Department: Magnet Engineering

Location: Zurich

Employment Type: FullTime

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

Impact: Your simulations will directly shape the magnets that enable commercial fusion energy.

Ownership: As part of a small, highly technical team, you will define modeling standards and influence core design decisions.

Frontier Engineering: Work at the intersection of high-field electromagnetics, cryogenics, and advanced numerical methods.

Collaboration: Join a team combining deep superconducting expertise with advanced computational capability to solve one of the hardest engineering challenges of our time.

YOUR IMPACT

At Proxima Fusion, we are designing the first generation of fusion power plants to provide the world with clean, carbon-free energy. The heart of our reactor lies in its superconducting coils. These magnets operate at cryogenic temperatures, generate extreme magnetic fields, and must remain stable under complex electromagnetic and thermal transients.

We are looking for a Numerical Modeling Engineer to develop high-fidelity simulation tools that predict and de-risk the behavior of our superconducting magnets. Your work will span electromagnetic, thermal, and transient multiphysics modeling - including quench dynamics - and will directly inform design decisions for conductors, coils, and protection systems.

This role is not about running black-box simulations. It is about building robust numerical frameworks - combining commercial multiphysics tools with in-house developed models - to enable fast, reliable, physics-driven engineering decisions.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Your work will combine physics modeling, numerical implementation, and close collaboration with magnet designers and experimental teams. You will contribute across three primary domains:

1. Electromagnetic & Thermal Multiphysics Modeling

You will develop predictive models of superconducting magnet behavior across steady-state and transient regimes.

• Electromagnetic Simulation: Model high-field magnet systems including current distribution, inductance, AC losses, and nonlinear material behavior.

• Thermal Modeling: Simulate heat generation, conduction, and cryogenic cooling performance under operational and fault conditions.

• Multiphysics Coupling: Develop coupled EM-thermal models to capture transient events such as current redistribution and localized heating.

• Quench Modeling: Implement and validate numerical frameworks to simulate quench initiation, propagation, and protection strategies.

• Model Validation: Correlate simulations with experimental data from conductor and coil tests to continuously refine predictive capability.
  

2. In-House Tool Development & Numerical Infrastructure

Beyond commercial software, you will help build Proxima’s internal modeling backbone.

• Custom Solvers & Reduced-Order Models: Develop fast, scalable modeling tools for system-level studies and design iteration.

• Automation & Parametric Studies: Build robust pipelines for design sweeps, optimization, and uncertainty quantification.

• Code Development: Contribute to internal Python- or C++-based frameworks for magnet modeling and data post-processing.

• Verification & Benchmarking: Establish numerical best practices, validation procedures, and cross-comparison between tools.

• Scalability: Ensure models can scale from conductor-level physics to full magnet assemblies.

Experience with COMSOL or similar commercial multiphysics tools (ANSYS, Opera, etc.) is valuable, but building reliable, physics-based in-house tools is equally (if not more) important.

3. Design Integration & Engineering Decision Support

Your models will not live in isolation — they will directly shape hardware.

• Design Feedback: Provide quantitative guidance on conductor layout, stabilization strategies, and protection schemes.

• Risk Assessment: Identify failure modes and quantify margins under realistic operating scenarios.

• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with magnet engineers, quench protection specialists, and test engineers.

• Documentation & Communication: Translate complex physics into clear engineering recommendations.

WHO YOU ARE

We are looking for a rigorous numerical thinker who enjoys bridging fundamental physics and practical engineering.

Background:

• Degree (MSc or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Computational Engineering, or a related field.

Core Expertise:

• Strong foundation in electromagnetics and physics-based numerical modeling (e.g., FEM, nonlinear coupled systems), with the ability to implement and extend models programmatically

• Experience with multiphysics and transient simulations (e.g., electromagnetic–thermal coupling, fast transients).

• Proficiency in at least one scientific programming language (Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar), with interest in developing internal modeling tools and workflows.

Valued Experience (not all required):

• Electromagnetic numerical modeling

• COMSOL or other commercial FEM tools.

• Modeling of high-current or high-field devices.

• Thermal modeling and heat transfer in complex systems.

• Experience building internal engineering tools rather than relying purely on GUI-based workflows.

Mindset:

• You question assumptions and validate results critically.

• You are comfortable building models from first principles.

• You thrive in a startup environment where tools, processes, and standards are still evolving.

Prior experience with superconductors or HTS magnets is a plus - but strong electromagnetic and numerical expertise is the primary requirement.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Recruiter Interview (30-60 min)

• Technical Screening (30 min)

• Technical Panel (3x60 min)

• 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.