Supply Chain Manufacturing Engineer - Metals

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. WHY JOIN PROXIMA FUSION * You will get to work on some of the most complex tech challenges to bring abundant, safe, clean energy to the world. * You'll get to join and learn from an exceptional selection of accomplished and driven individuals. * Do your life’s best work and enjoy the journey. * Get to show that big things are possible in Europe when you assemble the best talent. YOUR IMPACT As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will take ownership of developing assembly strategies and work packages for our stellarator machine program, one of the most critical and technically demanding elements of our first integrated prototype. This role sits at the intersection of engineering rigour and hands-on execution, defining how complex fusion machine systems are assembled safely, precisely, and on schedule. SECONDMENT PROGRAM DETAILS This position is part of a unique secondment program in collaboration with ITER, through their IPA (ITER Project Associates) scheme. You will be hired by Proxima Fusion and, for the first 12 months, embedded at the ITER Organization in Cadarache, France, gaining direct, hands-on experience at the world's largest fusion experiment. Following the secondment, you will relocate to Munich to continue your career at Proxima Fusion. WHAT YOU WILL DO * Develop fusion machine assembly engineering work packages based on system engineering inputs, including review of technical data, confirmation of assembly strategies, and identification of open points in the process. * Verify and validate input data provided to external suppliers, and review installation work packages they prepare in return. * Prepare technical documents covering specification, execution, and surveillance of machine assembly work packages. * Survey and monitor construction work through to completion, maintaining responsibility for safety, quality, and schedule. * Define process interfaces between components, systems, and associated tooling, proposing layouts, concepts, and alternative strategies to resolve assembly challenges, improve quality, and optimise cost and schedule. * Contribute to the design of assembly tools and ensure applicable quality and safety measures are upheld throughout. * Support the development and ongoing maintenance of the overall machine assembly strategy. * Implement technical controls for safety-critical requirements and ensure their propagation across the external supply chain. WHO YOU ARE * Master's degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or a comparable field; relevant experience and additional training certificates may be considered in lieu of formal education. * At least 5 years' experience in the construction of large industrial, big science, or nuclear projects. * Good understanding of non-standardised design, construction, and assembly aspects related to experimental devices or high-technology equipment. * Experience in a nuclear or highly-regulated environment, with a solid grasp of nuclear safety principles, a strong advantage. * Proven ability to write technical specifications and documentation covering all aspects of assembly work, from desk to field. * Experience in contract monitoring and follow-up with external suppliers. * Knowledge of structural fabrication, welding, non-destructive testing (including ultra-high vacuum leak testing), and complex assemblies involving high-precision metrology (laser trackers/scanning). * Good working knowledge of QA systems and their practical application in a field environment. * Experience with assembly tooling design — including application of codes and standards, safety & quality, and tolerance management — is a plus. * Familiarity with lifting, handling, and transportation of heavy components and structures is an advantage. * Experience scheduling assembly activities and using scheduling software such as Primavera is an advantage. * Fluent in English (written and spoken). * Proficient in Microsoft Office; working knowledge of CATIA V5/Enovia. INTERVIEW PROCESS * Recruiter Interview (30-60 min) * Technical Screening (30 min) * Technical Panel (3x60 min) * CEO call (30 min) *This role sits at L2/L3 of our framework, please inquire during the recruitment process for further information. 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.

YOUR IMPACT As part of Solution Engineering at Tacto, you'll bridge our powerful platform with measurable customer value through data expertise. Working directly with customers and leads, you'll understand their unique supply chain challenges and implement tailored technical solutions. By integrating customer procurement data and configuring the platform to match their processes, you'll drive adoption and showcase immediate ROI (even during the deal building process). This technical role combines data engineering with customer interaction – you'll not only build robust data pipelines but also guide customers through implementation, helping transform our technology into business impact for Europe's industrial backbone. Your work will directly influence deal conversions, customer value, product evolution, and our company's growth trajectory. YOUR TASKS (TRACK SPECIFIC) Solution Engineering Track * Data Integration & Pipeline Development: Design and implement stable, scalable pipelines that transform customer procurement data into actionable insights within Tacto's platform. * Technical Onboarding Leadership: Drive the technical implementation process from kickoff to completion, working with customer IT teams to ensure smooth integration and rapid time-to-value. * Solution Configuration: Customize the Tacto platform to match each customer's unique requirements, applying best practices in procurement and supplier management. * Continuous Improvement: Develop reusable components and standardized approaches that increase onboarding efficiency while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction. Value Engineering Track * Value Case Development & Quantification: Analyze customer ERP and procurement data to identify and quantify concrete savings and risk-reduction potential for our leads during deal building. . * Value Storytelling & Stakeholder Presentation: Translate findings into compelling negotiation dossiers, savings cases and presentations that make Tacto's ROI tangible for procurement and executive stakeholders – and support Sales in turning value into deal momentum. * Vibe Code @Tacto: Develop reusable analytical frameworks and AI-native workflows that scale Proof of Value delivery and extend our demo app with compelling new value cases in alignment with our product team. General (both tracks) * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Customer Success, Product, and Engineering to deliver integrated solutions and feed customer insights back into our product roadmap. * Become AI Native: Proactively identify opportunities to leverage AI to accelerate your work, experiment with new approaches, and share successful workflows – contributing to Tacto's culture of high-velocity execution and innovation. YOUR PROFILE Now you may wonder what experiences and skills you need for this role. We believe that problem-solving, creativity, and drive are more important than tools that can be picked up. However, the following references will give a guideline of what experiences we think might be helpful: * You have strong business acumen * You enjoy getting to know customers and / or leads, understanding their needs and achieving results together with an interdisciplinary team * You have experience in programming with SQL * You are familiar with importing, cleansing, validating, transforming and exploring data * You have worked with BI tools such as PowerBI or Tableau * You have strong communication skills in both German and English OUR BACKGROUND Tacto is building the intelligence layer that connects AI to the physical world of manufacturing, starting with procurement. AI is transforming every industry, but it stops at the factory gate. The knowledge that holds manufacturing together - part costs, suppliers, materials - is scattered across systems and people. Over 50% of a product's cost originates from suppliers, making procurement the single largest cost lever in manufacturing and the missing connection between the digital and the physical world. Yet it still runs on Excel and legacy systems. We're changing that with our Procurement Intelligence Platform, trusted by hundreds of companies running billions of Euros of material. Based in Munich, we are 100+ passionate builders who are in-office, with high expectations, fast growth, and a lot of fun. We are supported by >€50m from Sequoia, Index, and Europe's leading tech entrepreneurs and industry veterans. WHY IT MATTERS Manufacturing forms Europe's economic backbone, driving a fourth of Europe's GDP and providing over 30% of jobs. These hidden champions and global market leaders manufacture the physical world around us, from the machines that build our cities to the medical devices that save lives. But the world is changing. The US dominates the digital world of bits. China is scaling the world of atoms, manufacturing at unprecedented speed and scale. Geopolitics are more uncertain than ever. Europe's strength lies in its deep industrial knowledge through generations of engineering. Manufacturing worldwide runs on European machines and software. But that heritage is only an advantage if we leverage it in the age of AI. Tacto builds the AI that connects Atoms and Bits, empowering our Industrial Base to Stay Stronger and building a lighthouse for European tech. WHAT WE OFFER The people at Tacto are passionate about building the organization, growing themselves, and our product while having fun and being real. We have high expectations, great talent density, and a culture where your ambition, performance, and agency are what count - not where you come from or how big your ego is. You'll grow at the forefront of AI, have real ownership and impact, and be surrounded by the best people in their field who challenge you and make you better every day. That is demanding and rewarding, but that's where we thrive. Besides that you have: * Money: Competitive salary & equity in the company with real upside, so you are invested in our success * Workplace: A vibrant in-office culture (> 4 days/week) in a beautiful office in central Munich * Development: A development budget and regular exposure to exceptional people, e.g., Lunch & Learns, peer mentoring, external speakers * Time off: 26 + 4 vacation days per year (4 fixed “company rest days”) as well as regular off-sites and team events * Health: Wellpass membership, of course, a fruit basket (!), and access to Jobrad, for your health * Family & Social Security: Voluntary pension contribution, voluntary KITA subsidy for your children Tacto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity. 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