Embedded Control Engineer

Proxima Fusion GmbH; München; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Proxima Fusion GmbH in Munich is seeking an embedded software engineer to develop the onboard control platform for power electronics and real-time systems.

You will define architectures, select controllers, and implement robust software close to hardware, collaborating with hardware, power electronics, mechanical, and system engineers.

We value a university degree in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering and hands-on experience with FPGA, real-time software, and debugging on target hardware.

Qualifications

• You hold a university degree in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering.
• You understand embedded architectures and the practical aspects of selecting controllers for real-time applications.
• You are an expert in embedded software development for real-time systems, including FPGA programming, hardware interfaces and communication protocols.
• You have experience monitoring and debugging software directly on target hardware.

Responsibilities

• Define embedded controller architectures for power electronic converters and select suitable microcontrollers, DSP, FPGA.
• Translate power electronics and control requirements into efficient, deterministic, real-time software implementations.
• Develop, test, debug, and validate embedded software on target hardware, from blocks to full controller implementations and automated test environments.
• Explore new controller technologies and software concepts to improve performance, reliability, and maintainability.

Skills

Embedded architectures

Real-time software

FPGA programming

Systems programming

Hardware interfaces

Communication protocols

Target hardware debugging

Education

University degree in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering

Tools

FPGA toolchains

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Proxima Fusion is Europe’s fastest-growing fusion company and the continent’s best-funded fusion player, as well as the first spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP). Backed by over €650M and powered by a growing team across Munich, Zurich, and Oxford, we are developing the hardware and infrastructure needed to deliver the world’s first commercial stellarator fusion power plant.

Our concept advances the most mature fusion technology out there, the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, through two next-generation machines: Alpha and Stellaris. Our work combines stellarator optimization, advanced computation, machine learning, and high-temperature superconducting magnets to unlock higher-performance designs that were previously out of reach.

Turning these designs into a functioning fusion power plant requires excellence and ownership across every discipline, from physics and engineering to software, manufacturing, law, and business functions.

BY JOINING OUR TEAM YOU’LL GET TO

• Architect a breakthrough energy technology – Play a defining role in designing and integrating the systems that will power the world’s first commercial stellarator fusion plant, influencing decisions that shape the future of clean energy.

• Solve some of the most complex engineering challenges in fusion – Work across magnet design, HTS technology, manufacturing, structural integration, and controls, turning cutting-edge science into real hardware

• Move fast and build what matters – Join a highly ambitious, multidisciplinary team that combines cutting-edge simulation with hands‑on engineering, turning bold ideas into real hardware on the path to commercial fusion.

YOUR IMPACT

In this role, you will play a key part in developing the embedded control platform and will translate functional and control requirements into embedded hardware and software architectures, select appropriate microcontrollers, DSP, FPGA, or other controller technologies, and develop real-time software close to the hardware implementation. Your work will directly influence the performance, reliability, safety, and will require close collaboration with power electronics, integrated electronics, mechanical, thermal, and system engineers.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Define embedded controller architectures for power electronic converters and select suitable microcontrollers, DSP, FPGA.

• Translate power electronics and control requirements into efficient, deterministic, and robust real-time software implementations.

• Develop, test, debug, and validate embedded software on target hardware, from individual software blocks through complete controller implementations and automated testing environments to validate the design.

• Explore new controller technologies, embedded architectures, and software implementation concepts to improve converter performance, flexibility, reliability, functionality, and maintainability.

WHO YOU ARE

• You hold a University (Higher education) degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

• You have a strong understanding of embedded architectures, and the practical considerations involved in selecting controllers for demanding real-time applications.

• You are an expert in embedded software development for real-time applications, preferably in power electronics, industrial automation, or similar applications, spanning FPGA programming, systems programming, hardware interfaces and communication protocols.

• You are experienced in monitoring and debugging software directly on target hardware

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with model-based development, hardware-in-the-loop testing, automated testing, or safety-critical software development is a plus.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Recruiter Interview (30-60 min)

• Technical Screening (30 min)

• Technical Panel (3x60 min)

At Proxima Fusion, our mission is bold: making limitless clean energy a reality. To get there, we need a high-performing, diverse team that brings different perspectives, challenges assumptions, and builds together with purpose. We know that diversity of thought and experience leads to better ideas, stronger execution, and a more resilient team. We don’t look at how you identify, what you look like, who you choose to worship or what ethnicity you are. We care about what you can bring to the table.