Partnerships Specialist

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 US - Work on a civilisation-scale problem - Clean, baseload fusion energy is one of the few genuinely world-changing challenges, and every hire in Finance, People, or Legal directly accelerates the path to a working stellarator. - Grow as fast as the company does - With headcount set to roughly 5x in a few years and major technical milestones ahead on the path to our demo machine and first power plant, your role grows under you; today's hire is tomorrow's function lead. - Tackle problems that don't exist elsewhere - Fusion sits at a rare intersection of deep-tech R&D, industrial procurement, government relations, and venture financing, so non-tech functions face challenges no other workplace can offer. YOUR IMPACT As a Partnerships Specialist , you will play an important role in strengthening Proxima Fusion’s relationships with research institutions, industrial partners, and government agencies. Moreover, you will help secure critical funding, later ensuring compliance with funding administrative processes. Your work will directly support our mission to bring fusion energy — the power of the stars — to Earth. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Build and maintain strong partnerships with public research institutions and private partners. - Contribute to Proxima’s mission by bridging the gap between technology, funding, and strategic partnerships. - Support the drafting, submission, and management of public funding applications, ensuring timely communication with grant authorities. - Manage relationships with governmental bodies issuing grants, overseeing administrative application processes, drafting materials in support of the case for long-term funding. WHO YOU ARE - Bachelor’s degree in STEM or related fields; a Master’s degree is preferred. - At least 2 years of experience in academia, consulting, government, business strategy, or adjacent fields. - Fluent in English. - Willingness to travel as required, on average 1-2 times per month. - Organized, proactive, and driven by purpose, with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.   INTERVIEW PROCESS - Recruiter Interview (30-60 min) - Technical Screening (30 min) - Technical Panel (3x60 min) *This role sits at "L1" 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.