Instrumentation and Test Engineer

Proxima Fusion in Zürich seeks a Mid-level Instrumentation and Test Engineer to develop testing infrastructure for fusion power plant magnet prototypes. The role involves designing and implementing measurement systems for superconducting coils under extreme conditions, working within the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) ecosystem.

This role focuses on creating instrumentation and test systems to validate magnet prototypes for the first generation of fusion power plants. It is part of a team at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) working on superconducting coils that operate in cryogenic temperatures and under intense mechanical stress, requiring robust and precise measurement solutions.

Responsibilities

• Support the setup and execution of testing protocols, including instrumenting coils and configuring measurement systems for accurate data collection.
• Design instrumentation concepts for testing tapes, conductors, and coils under both normal and abnormal operating conditions for quality assurance.
• Identify and source sensors for temperature, strain, and voltage that can function in high magnetic fields and cryogenic environments.
• Lead the installation of sensors on prototypes, including creating schematics, wiring standards, and procedures to ensure data integrity in extreme conditions.
• Create a modular and scalable test framework using DAQ hardware to automate experiments.
• Integrate and maintain the test-stand control and measurement stack, including power supplies, DAQ systems, and synchronization hardware.
• Develop communication interfaces to coordinate device operations and ensure reliable hardware-software interaction.
• Implement standardized data formats and real-time visualization tools like Grafana for analysis by the physics team.
• Manage the full lifecycle of test-stand hardware, from initial wiring and calibration to final commissioning.
• Research and develop sensor solutions to qualify coil performance under operational conditions.
• Analyze sources of measurement error such as linearity, drift, and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) to enhance signal quality.
• Design and run tests in high-field environments exceeding 20 T, supporting fast analog signal acquisition or FPGA-based processing.

Requirements

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related field.
• Comfort with hands-on tasks such as soldering and software development, particularly in Python.
• Experience in at least two of the following areas: Sensors/Electronics, Data Acquisition, Cryogenics, or FPGA/Real-time systems.

Nice to have

• Specialized skills such as fiber optic splicing or experience with high-vacuum systems.

What the company offers

• Opportunity to work on the forefront of energy science, contributing directly to sustainable energy solutions.
• Integration into the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) ecosystem, enabling collaboration with top experts in superconductivity.
• Flexibility as an early team member to shape tools, processes, and company culture.

About the company

Proxima Fusion is driven by a mission to redefine sustainable energy through fusion power plants. The company builds a team of passionate and dedicated individuals committed to advancing technology, valuing diverse perspectives to drive innovation and strong execution. Hiring decisions are based solely on candidates' abilities and contributions, without regard to identity, appearance, religion, or ethnicity.

• Mission-driven focus on sustainable energy through fusion technology.
• Team of passionate, dedicated professionals committed to innovation.
• Values diverse thinking and experience to foster better ideas and execution.
• Hiring based on skills and potential, not personal identity or background.