Cryogenics Engineer
Job description
About the role
The Cryogenics Engineer defines analysis workflows for commercial-scale cryogenic thermal and fluid systems in laser-driven fusion. This role collaborates with hardware, experimental, and science teams to convert requirements into actionable analyses. The position provides quantitative foundations that shape technical roadmap decisions.
Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.
Key facts
Location: Darmstadt
Engagement: Full-time
Compensation: pay determined by location, level, knowledge, skills, and experience
Team: Cryo
Years: 5+
Degree: MSc or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
Visa: Equal opportunity employer; consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, consideration for employment includes qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records
What you'll do
Hardware decisions for the Cryo team receive consistent backing from this analysis to ensure reliable implementation.
The Cryo team's technical roadmap is guided by analytical foundations that determine which elements are built, tested, and scaled for clean energy applications.
Requirements
3 5 years' experience in integrated thermal and fluid analysis involving cryogenic systems, with hydrogen experience preferred, or equivalent PhD research is required. A strong foundation in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics is required for success in this role.
Proficiency in thermal analysis software such as Thermal Desktop and COMSOL is required, with the ability to anchor analyses to real hardware for credible results. Familiarity with hydrogen systems, vacuum systems, cryogenic technologies, and phase change in solids, liquids, and gases is required. Skilled use of instrumentation, sensors, and control logic for temperature, pressure, and flow in cryogenic environments is required.
Hands-on experience with test rig construction, system debugging, and low-temperature measurements is a plus to support validation activities. Ability to collaborate across disciplines and coordinate effectively with multiple engineering and science teams is required.
Practical notes
This role may require work authorization for Darmstadt, and equal opportunity consideration applies without regard to protected characteristics. Typical interview steps
Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.
Good to know
Fusion energy work relies on cryogenic systems to achieve the necessary conditions for plasma confinement. Thermal Desktop and COMSOL are common tools for high-level thermal and fluid analysis in advanced energy projects. Cryogenic hydrogen handling demands strict control of temperature, pressure, and phase change behavior. Instrumentation and sensor integration are central to validating models against experimental data. Cross-functional coordination is essential when linking analysis, hardware design, and test campaigns. Sensitivity studies and optimization help refine system performance for commercial scale.
Career growth
Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.