Alpha Plant Systems Lead

Proxima Fusion is Europe’s fastest-growing fusion company and the continent’s best-funded fusion player, as well as the first spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP). Backed by over €650M and powered by a growing team across Munich, Zurich, and Oxford, we are developing the hardware and infrastructure needed to deliver the world’s first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. Shape the architecture of the world’s first net energy gain stellarator by taking full responsibility for the design, integration, and delivery of Alpha’s ancillary systems.

Responsibilities

Drive integrated system design and delivery: Own the integrated design of the ancillary systems and all interconnecting infrastructure to seamlessly embed them into the wider Alpha facility.; Modernize the engineering approach: Bring a forward-thinking vision to the industrial facility development process by including, for example, advanced process engineering techniques, modern Building Information Modeling (BIM), and 4D assembly planning.; Own the interfaces and the budget: Manage complex trade-offs and resolve critical design constraints by collaborating closely with stellarator engineering and facility teams. You will own the budget for these systems and serve as the primary technical interface with external stakeholders and regulatory bodies.; Build systems with a fast-moving team: Combine systems thinking with a pragmatic execution mindset. You will lead across the ancillary systems, providing the judgement needed to unblock cross-system challenges and facility trade decisions.; Execute safe and successful operations: Define the safety logic and lead the integrated installation, commissioning, and maintenance strategies for Alpha’s ancillary systems.

Requirements

End-to-End Infrastructure Delivery: A proven track record owning major projects, from design through to construction, commissioning, and handover.; Relevant Industrial Experience: First-hand experience witnessing and delivering complex plant engineering and facilities. Broad backgrounds that are relevant for this role include manufacturing, data centers, refineries, chemical plants, or industrial gas production.; Deep Technical and Design Judgement: Strong technical skillsets beyond delivery management with the ability to lead design decisions regarding complex facility integration.; Systems & Execution Mindset: The ability to balance inputs from multidisciplinary technical teams and a bias to action in resolving critical trade-offs.; Agility and Leadership: Team players who thrive in fast moving, high growth environments. Demonstrated ability to manage large internal and external work packages.