Numerical Modeling Engineer

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

• 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, C

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