Lead Vacuum Engineer – Fusion Prototype Full-time or Long-termMission

About the Role

Main Mission

Lead the design, implementation, and commissioning of the vacuum system for the fusion prototype. The position is focused on translating high-level physical requirements into a robust, buildable, and evolutive vacuum infrastructure, from early conceptual design through procurement and assembly.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as lead engineer for the vacuum system of the experimental setup.
• Translate scientific requirements (characteristic dimensions, target gas density, operating regimes) into a complete vacuum chamber and system design.
• Design the vacuum chamber layout using CAD, including ports, windows, internal components, and mechanical interfaces.
• Design and implement the gas injection system, likely involving multiple injection points (central region and mirror sections).
• Specify, select, and order all vacuum-related components (chambers, flanges, pumps, gauges, valves, feedthroughs).
• Supervise or directly participate in the assembly and integration of the vacuum system.
• Coordinate with the scientific team and other engineers during system definition and iteration.
• Contribute to installation planning, commissioning, and early experimental operation.
• Document design choices, procedures, and lessons learned.

This role is intended as a lead engineering position. Depending on project evolution, the lead vacuum engineer may participate in defining the need for, and supervising, additional junior engineering or technical support for assembly work.

The project is currently at an early design stage. While some system outlines may emerge in the coming months, the exact timeline remains flexible. We are therefore seeking to identify and engage the right candidate early, even if full technical workload ramps up progressively. The ability to contribute to conceptual design, anticipation, and technical decision-making in an evolving context is essential.

Requirements

Required Skills and Experience

• Proven hands-on experience in the design of large or complex vacuum systems.
• Ability to independently design a complete vacuum chamber and pumping architecture from scientific specifications.
• Excellent CAD skills (mandatory).
• Strong knowledge of vacuum technologies (HV/UHV, materials, seals, pumping strategies, leak detection).
• Experience managing procurement and technical follow-up with suppliers.
• Practical mindset with experience supervising or performing mechanical assembly.

Additional / Highly Valued Experience

• Experience with vacuum systems for plasma or fusion devices.
• High-voltage engineering (desirable but not mandatory; may be complemented by a dedicated specialist).
• Experience with gas handling and injection systems.
• Familiarity with experimental physics environments and diagnostics.

Profile

• Senior engineer or physicist-engineer with substantial laboratory experience.
• Comfortable operating with partial specifications and evolving requirements.
• Autonomous, rigorous, and strongly hands-on.
• Interest in joining a high-impact project at a very early stage.

Compensation

Compensation depending on profile and experience (indicative). Senior / Lead profile (extensive hands-on experience with complex vacuum systems, autonomy on design and integration): €65k – €85k+ gross annual full-time equivalent.

Final compensation will depend on experience level, responsibilities, contract type (employee or consulting), and level of involvement in the project.

About the Company

Dicio Conflatio is an early-stage deeptech company developing innovative concepts in advanced energy and plasma-based systems. The company is currently working on the design and construction of a very early-stage linear fusion prototype, with a strong focus on experimental validation, measurable data, and progressive scaling of the installation. The working environment is intentionally agile, interdisciplinary, and hands-on, with close interaction between scientific, engineering, and technical profiles.