Industrial Mechanic

AENU; Garching bei München; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Makerspace access

Job summary

Starforge in Munich is seeking an Industrial Mechanic to join the prototyping lab. You will build and test the first fusion magnets, assemble vacuum systems, cryogenic components, and support coil builds with tight documentation and safety practices.

We value hands-on experience with precision assembly, vacuum equipment, and cryogenics, along with ability to work independently in a fast-paced lab environment and communicate in English and German.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years in a multidisciplinary hardware development environment.
• Completed vocational training in an industrial mechanics role (Industriemechaniker/Feinwerkmechaniker) or equivalent.
• Hands-on assembly experience with vacuum systems, gauges, seals, fittings, and leak testing.
• Ability to read and create technical drawings and documentation.
• Fluent in English, German language skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assemble test fixtures, vacuum chambers, cryostats and magnet components with precision.
• Operate and maintain vacuum systems, pumps, gauges and leak testing.
• Install cryocoolers and handle liquid nitrogen safely.
• Support coil builds and test campaigns from setup to teardown.
• Document work and maintain lab organization; contribute to safety culture.

Skills

Hardware development

Vacuum systems

Technical drawing

Documentation

English (technical)

German (fluent)

Education

Industrial mechanic training

Mechatronics technician training

Tools

Vacuum pumps

Cryocoolers

Cryogenics equipment

Metal workshop tools

Liquid nitrogen safety

Job description

Munich, Garching · Full-time · On-site

About Starforge

Starforge is on a mission to make fusion energy a practical utility by factory-manufacturing modular, fleet-deployable fusion reactors. We are fusion's Henry Ford moment.

Our first reactor product line, Unit One, is a 250 MWe spherical tokamak, built from demountable high‑temperature superconducting magnets and designed in modular blocks so that every component can be factory-manufactured as well as replaced on site.

Our team comes from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, MIT, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Tokamak Energy, KIT, Lilium, and GE.

Come and join us in building the future.

Build Unit One's magnets as our Industrial Mechanic

Our magnet lab is where ideas become hardware: vacuum chambers, cryocoolers, test fixtures and our first superconducting coils. Builds and tests happen every week, and they only work if assemblies are done right, issues are raised early and remedied accordingly. This is your chance to bring your experience to the team that builds the first fusion magnets, support our engineers and to set the standard for how our prototyping lab works.

You will bring hands‑on mechanical expertise in our Prototyping shop from day one. You will report to the COO, and work closely with our magnet, manufacturing, mechanical and cryogenics engineers.

What you'll do

• Assemble test fixtures, vacuum chambers, cryostats and magnet components with precision and care
• Run and maintain our vacuum systems: backing and turbo pumps, gauges and helium leak testing
• Install, assemble and run cryocoolers, and handle liquid nitrogen safely
• Support coil builds and test campaigns from set‑up to tear‑down
• Make small parts and modifications, and feed improvements from the bench back to design
• Support the manufacturing of the superconducting magnets and joints with our manufacturing engineer
• Keep the lab organized, equipment maintained and work documented
• Build a strong safety and quality culture in the lab

What we're looking for

• At least 5 years working experience in multidisciplinary, fast-paced hardware development environment
• Completed vocational training as Industriemechaniker, Feinwerkmechaniker or similar, or Techniker/Meister, or equivalent experience
• Hands‑on precise assembly experience with vacuum systems: pumps, gauges, seals, fittings, and leak testing
• Experience with critical assessment, creation, and analysis of technical drawings
• Working independently with thorough documentation
• B1 Proficiency in English with emphasis on technical English Bonus points:
• Installing, assembling or running cryocoolers, or work in a cryogenic lab
• Experience with superconducting magnets, scientific instruments, space hardware, or aerospace test equipment
• Experience on metal workshop tools e.g. lathe, mill, welding, etc
• Fluency in both English and German
• Crane or forklift license

What we offer

• Opportunity to build first‑of‑a‑kind hardware that creates the future of fusion
• Makerspace membership paid by the company

We welcome applications from experienced technicians and from people moving into fusion from research labs, aerospace, medical, vacuum or cryogenics companies.