Superconducting Magnet Engineer

Gauss Fusion GmbH; München; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Gauss Fusion GmbH in Germany seeks a Superconducting Magnet Engineer to drive magnet-system design using LTS/HTS materials for stellarator and tokamak concepts. The role leads design activities, defines cable designs and winding lay-ups, and evaluates quench protection strategies for reliable machine operation.

You will oversee the development of demonstrator coils, assess manufacturing options, and ensure qualification programs cover superconducting conductors and coils, with close

Qualifications

• At least a good master’s degree or equivalent in physics, electrical or mechanical engineering fields.
• Professional recognition through full membership of an Institution such as IEEE (and its CAS) or equivalent, or completion of a PhD/Dr.-Ing in a relevant engineering or applied physics area.
• Technical experience: At least 5 years’ experience in applied superconductivity for magnet design and manufacture.
• Experience in commissioning/experimental operation of a large superconducting magnet.
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical design codes such as IEEE, ASME, DIN, ISO or BS.
• Use of superconductor analysis codes for calculation of temperature margin and quench.
• Use of thermohydraulic codes for cooling calculations and electromagnetic codes for field evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the GFG magnet design activities related to the superconducting components and associate technologies.
• Define cable designs for high current conductors for LTS and HTS materials.
• Define winding/lay-up procedures for the three-dimensional coils needed for stellarators and investigate possible constraints.
• Assess the options for magnet quench protection and insulation/non insulation and provide the trade offs as they will impact the basic machine design, manufacture, operation and reliability.
• Follow up the GF program for demountable coils and oversee the manufacture of demonstrator coils and the implementation of the technology in the magnet system baseline design.
• Assess industrial capabilities for superconducting material manufacture and potential impact on GF power plant construction.
• Prepare technical specifications for manufacturing studies on cables and coils, places the contracts and follows up the results.
• Define and implement a qualification program for the superconducting aspects of the conductors and coils, through conductor samples and model coils.

Skills

Applied superconductivity

Magnet design

Commissioning large magnets

Project leadership

Cryogenic temperatures

Education

Master’s degree in physics/engineering

PhD/Dr.-Ing in engineering or applied physics

IEEE membership or equivalent

Tools

Conductor analysis codes

Thermohydraulic codes

Electromagnetic codes

Job description

The superconducting magnet system is at the core of the Stellarator-based Fusion Power Plant that GFG is designing. The superconductor technology, from the choice of material (either LTS or HTS) to the associated thermal protection and winding pack configuration, will have a major role in the choice of the machine configuration.

GFG has developed innovative proprietary technologies for superconducting magnets, applicable to HTS and LTS materials and to both stellarator and tokamak fusion devices. These are now passing successfully through the ‘proof of principal’ stage and will enter the prototyping phase next year.

GFG is looking for a Superconducting Magnet Engineer with experience in applied superconductivity and the use of LTS/HTS materials in practical magnets. He/she will be familiar with the particular design issues of superconducting and insulator materials and the associated technologies needed to make large and reliable magnets and will have operated/commissioned superconducting magnets. The engineer will eventually lead a team of designers and analysts to develop and qualify the detailed design and follow the superconductor and coil manufacturing. There will be opportunities to increase the readiness level of novel technologies such as demountable coils as well as to contribute further innovations.

Main responsibilities

• Manage the GFG magnet design activities related to the superconducting components and associate technologies:
• Define cable designs for high current conductors for LTS and HTS materials;
• Define winding/lay-up procedures for the three-dimensional coils needed for stellarators and investigate possible constraints;
• Assess the options for magnet quench protection and insulation/non insulation and provide the trade offs as they will impact the basic machine design, manufacture, operation and reliability. Defines technology readiness and programs needed to bring to implement in the baseline design;
• Follow up the GF program for demountable coils and as appropriate oversee the manufacture of demonstrator coils and the implementation of the technology in the magnet system baseline design;
• Assess industrial capabilities for superconducting material manufacture and potential impact on GF power plant construction;
• Prepare technical specifications for manufacturing studies on cables and coils, places the contracts and follows up the results;
• Define and implement a qualification program for the superconducting aspects of the conductors and coils, through conductor samples and model coils. Ensures appropriate facilities are available for the testing.

Qualification and educational requirements

• At least a good master’s degree or equivalent in the physics, electrical or mechanical engineering fields;
• Professional recognition through full membership of an Institution such as IEEE (and its CAS) or equivalent, or completion of a PhD/Dr.-Ing in a relevant engineering or applied physics area;
• Technical experience:
  • At least 5 years’ experience in applied superconductivity for magnet design and manufacture;
  • Experience in commissioning/experimental operation of a large superconducting magnet;
  • Demonstrated familiarity with relevant parts of electrical and mechanical design codes such as IEEE, ASME, DIN, ISO or BS;
  • Use of superconductor analysis codes for calculation of temperature margin and quench. Use of thermohydraulic codes for cooling calculations and electromagnetic codes for field evaluations.

Competences and preferred skills

• Familiarity with magnetic field coil design and superconductivity including options for quench detection and cable jointing techniques;
• Familiarity with requirements of mechanical and electrical engineering at cryogenic temperatures;
• Knowledge of vacuum technology for cryostats;
• Familiarity with LTS and HTS superconducting material production and cable forming options;
• Familiarity with high voltage insulation material and cryogenic high voltage engineering;

About us

Gauss Fusion is a European fusion company focused on industrialising stellarator fusion and developing a modular power plant architecture, critical technologies and industrial capabilities required for scaling fusion power plants in the future.

The start-up was founded in 2022 by Frank Laukien together with European high-tech companies with capabilities in magnetic-confinement fusion and component production for Fusion experiments like ITER. Gauss Fusion combines fusion science and systems engineering with industrial engineering and manufacturing expertise. Its peer-reviewed GIGA power-plant platform provides the technologically most promising system-level architecture to build cost-efficient stellarator power plants at scale.

Within this architecture, Gauss Fusion is advancing critical technologies in areas including demountable magnet systems, tritium breeding, fuel-cycle technologies, and plasma exhaust. Working with industrial partners, technology providers and leading research institutions across Europe, the company is building the engineering, technologies and supply-chain capabilities required to progress stellarator fusion towards industrial deployment.

Join us on our journey to revolutionize the energy landscape and make fusion power a reality.