Cryogenics Engineer

About the role

You will own the specification, design, and analysis of specific cooling systems to meet the cryogenic performance requirements of Proxima Fusion's Alpha device, ensuring model accuracy is verified by rigorous testing protocols. You will provide hands-on technical leadership during the construction, commissioning, and long-term operation of the cryogenic plant and its subsystems, guiding the team through complex implementation challenges. You will conduct performance analysis, testing, and troubleshooting of cryogenic systems to resolve issues before they impact project timelines and physics goals. You will collaborate closely with electromagnetic, mechanical and electrical engineers, magnet experts, and physicists to integrate cryogenic requirements into a unified system architecture. You will act as the expert customer for projects with external suppliers and partners, co-designing cryogenic systems with the highest quality and speed to meet strict engineering targets. You will develop advanced cooling solutions for a first-of-a-kind fusion machine, applying expertise in thermal engineering, fluid dynamics, and cryogenic system design. This role requires a unique combination of advanced systems thinking, simulation and modelling skills, and hands-on technical judgement to move between analysis and implementation. You will turn complex designs into reliable cryogenic systems through testing, troubleshooting, and validation, ensuring the hardware supports the magnetic confinement needs of the stellarator.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Specify, design, and analyze specific cooling system to meet cryogenic performance requirements, ensuring model accuracy is verified by testing protocols.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership during the construction, commissioning, and long-term operation of the cryogenic plant and its subsystems.
• Conduct performance analysis, testing, and troubleshooting of cryogenic systems.
• Collaborate closely with electromagnetic, mechanical and electrical engineers, magnet experts, and physicists.
• Identify and act as an expert customer for projects with external suppliers and partners to specify and co-design cryogenic systems with the highest quality and speed.
• Develop advanced cooling solutions for a first of a kind fusion machine using thermal engineering, fluid dynamics, and cryogenic system design.
• Apply advanced systems thinking, simulation and modelling skills, and hands-on technical judgement to integrate requirements across disciplines.
• Move between analysis and implementation to turn complex designs into reliable cryogenic systems through testing, troubleshooting, and validation.
• Verify model accuracy through defined testing protocols and iterate based on empirical results.
• Support the successful integration of cryogenic systems with superconducting magnet platforms and control infrastructure.
• Lead procurement projects and manage external work packages, ensuring alignment with technical schedules and quality standards.
• Translate high-level system requirements into detailed cryogenic component specifications and interface requirements.
• Implement practical engineering solutions that accelerate the path to commercial fusion energy while maintaining safety and reliability.
• Document designs, test procedures, and results to support knowledge transfer and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• A team player who enjoys tackling difficult challenges, exploring new approaches, and continuously improving through iteration.
• An engineer who combines strong modelling skills with hands-on experience building and operating cryogenic systems.
• Experience in cryogenic hardware design, commissioning, and operation for complex fusion or large-scale scientific systems.
• Proven track record in specifying and designing cryogenic cooling systems using both multi-physics tools (ie Simcenter Amesim, Comsol) and reduced-order modelling approaches.
• Experience validating cryogenic systems through a combination of simulations, testing, and prototyping to ensure performance against requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead external work packages and manage procurement projects while coordinating with suppliers and partners.
• Strong understanding of thermal engineering, fluid dynamics, and cryogenic system principles applied to demanding energy applications.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-moving, interdisciplinary environment where system-level decisions impact project outcomes.
• Comfortable working with magnetic systems and superconducting technologies that rely on stable cryogenic conditions.
• Willingness to engage with regulatory, safety, and quality standards relevant to fusion energy infrastructure.
• Commitment to following defined testing protocols and ensuring traceability of results.
• Openness to iterating on designs based on test data and collaborating across time zones and cultural contexts.
• Readiness to communicate technical trade-offs clearly to both engineering specialists and business stakeholders.
• Alignment with the mission of making limitless clean energy a reality through practical, high-performance engineering.