Superconducting Magnet Engineer

Gauss Fusion is a European greentech venture focused on engineering and industrialising magnetic confinement fusion power plants. The company is working to lead the commercialisation of fusion energy, with the goal of delivering its first gigawatt-class fusion power plant, the Gauss GIGA-Kraftwerk, by 2045. It connects leading fusion scientists with experienced European industrial fusion technology experts and operates at venture speed through a combination of private and public partnerships. The company's mission is rooted in producing clean, renewable fusion energy to secure long-term energy independence and address climate change. Gauss Fusion pursues high-field magnetic confinement fusion as what it considers the fastest viable path to commercial fusion energy production, and plans to integrate fusion power into the grid as a reliable base load provider that complements intermittent renewable energy sources. What distinguishes Gauss Fusion is its industrially grounded approach: it was founded by companies with hands-on fusion technology experience, applies best practices from industry, and leverages the existing infrastructure of former nuclear fission power plant sites to accelerate construction timelines and reduce costs. The company also collaborates with world-leading scientific and technology institutions and works proactively with regulatory authorities to streamline the licensing process for fusion power plants.

About the role

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: 
  1. At least 5 years’ experience in applied superconductivity for magnet design and manufacture; 
  2. Experience in commissioning/experimental operation of a large superconducting magnet; 
  3. Demonstrated familiarity with relevant parts of electrical and mechanical design codes such as IEEE, ASME, DIN, ISO or BS; 
  4. 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.