Computational Engineer

About the role

The Computational Engineer role at Proxima Fusion centers on owning the core computational infrastructure that defines and optimizes next-generation fusion hardware. You will be responsible for architecting and implementing the software stack that translates theoretical stellarator designs into manufacturable reality. This position requires a deep sense of ownership over the entire computational pipeline from mathematical concept to deployed simulation. You will directly influence the design decisions of Europe's fastest-growing fusion company by building the tools that shape its hardware. The role demands a pragmatic mindset focused on delivering robust, high-performance solutions under aggressive development timelines. You will work at the intersection of advanced mathematics and real-world engineering constraints. Ultimately, your work will enable the automation and optimization of the entire stellarator design cycle.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define stellarators in code by creating parametric representations of every major reactor component, from plasma-facing walls to complex superconducting cable systems.
• Automate the end-to-end engineering analysis chain, owning the software path from parametric definitions and CAD generation via CadQuery, through mesh creation with Gmsh, to simulation execution and automated post-processing.
• Architect integrated computational systems that connect parametric models, simulation workflows, and optimization routines to expose critical trade-offs between subsystems.
• Make complex stellarator geometries differentiable by building JAX-based models for geometry and physics, enabling gradient-based optimization of coil clearances, structural loads, and manufacturing constraints.
• Implement advanced algorithms tailored to custom 3D geometries, including signed distance functions, kd-tree spatial queries, adaptive sampling strategies, and robust collision detection methods.
• Translate abstract system requirements into concrete software specifications that balance accuracy, performance, and maintainability across the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate across disciplinary boundaries with plasma physicists, mechanical engineers, and simulation experts to ensure computational tools deliver actionable insights and accelerate design decisions.
• Drive the adoption of best practices in code quality, testing, and version control to ensure that the software stack is reliable, maintainable, and scalable for industrial deployment.
• Explore and prototype novel computational geometry techniques, such as B-splines, NURBS, and Fourier representations, to improve the expressiveness and efficiency of stellarator definitions.
• Contribute to the development of automated analysis pipelines that support rapid iteration, allowing the team to evaluate a high volume of design candidates in a short time.
• Work within a cloud-native infrastructure to ensure that all computational workflows are portable, reproducible, and optimized for high-throughput execution.
• Mentor and guide less experienced engineers on computational methods, fostering a culture of rigorous analysis and continuous improvement.
• Identify computational bottlenecks and implement solutions that reduce turnaround time for simulation and optimization tasks.
• Act as a technical interface between software development and hardware engineering teams to ensure that simulation tools reflect real-world manufacturing and operational constraints.

Requirements

• Hold a strong background in mathematics and engineering, demonstrating expert-level knowledge of linear algebra, differential geometry, numerical methods, and continuum mechanics.
• Possess professional-level experience solving complex engineering or scientific problems using Python, with a proven track record of writing clean and efficient code.
• Show deep familiarity with version control systems, particularly Git, and a commitment to writing well-tested, well-typed, and maintainable code.
• Exhibit exceptional communication skills to effectively collaborate with experts from diverse fields, including plasma physics, mechanical engineering, and software development.
• Bring a bias toward action and a problem-solving mindset, thriving in a fast-paced environment where ownership and initiative are essential.
• Demonstrate the ability to learn rapidly and apply concepts from unfamiliar domains to solve novel technical challenges.
• Have experience with computational geometry, parametric modeling, or CAD software integration, understanding how mathematical representations map to physical components.
• Understand the fundamentals of physics-based simulation, including mesh generation, finite element methods, and the numerical analysis of differential equations.

Nice to have

• Prior experience with stellarator optimization, magnetic coil design, or fusion energy systems.
• Exposure to high-performance computing, parallelization, and scalable cloud-based workflows.
• Knowledge of differentiable programming frameworks and their application to engineering design.
• Familiarity with industrial CAD systems and geometric modeling kernels.

Practical notes

Only full_time hours are considered; travel is not required; visa sponsorship is available; deadline for applications is not specified in SOURCE.