Health and Safety Lead

Job description

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 Health and Safety Manager, you will own and lead Proxima Fusion’s Health & Safety strategy and operations across our sites in Munich, Switzerland, and the UK. You will establish a consistent, high-performing safety culture across the company while ensuring compliance with local regulations and industry best practices. You will partner closely with facilities, engineering, laboratory, manufacturing, operations, and leadership teams to create safe environments that enable world-class scientific and engineering work. This is a highly cross-functional role with company-wide visibility and impact. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Own and continuously improve Proxima Fusion’s Health & Safety framework across all company locations - Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide H&S policies, procedures, standards, and management systems - Ensure compliance with applicable German, Swiss, and UK health and safety regulations - Coordinate best practices and harmonize safety processes across laboratories, workshops, office environments, and technical facilities - Lead risk assessments, incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action programs - Conduct regular site inspections, audits, and compliance reviews across all locations - Partner with facilities and technical teams on safe design, commissioning, and operation of laboratories, workshops, and experimental infrastructure - Support contractor management, permit-to-work systems, and safe working procedures - Develop and deliver H&S training, onboarding, emergency response exercises, and awareness programs - Build a proactive and positive safety culture through coaching, engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives - Maintain accurate H&S records, reporting dashboards, and regulatory documentation - Act as the primary point of contact for external inspectors, auditors, and regulatory bodies - Advise leadership on strategic H&S priorities, risks, and mitigation plans - Support business continuity and emergency preparedness planning across all sites WHO YOU ARE - You have significant experience in Health & Safety leadership roles within engineering, manufacturing, laboratory, industrial, deep-tech, energy, or research environments - You have strong knowledge of European and/or UK occupational health and safety regulations and standards - You are experienced in building and scaling H&S systems across multiple sites or international operations - You are confident operating in fast-moving and highly technical environments - You have hands-on experience with risk assessments, audits, incident investigations, and safety training - You are an excellent communicator who can influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation - You are pragmatic, organised, and solutions-oriented - You enjoy building processes from the ground up and driving continuous improvement - You are willing to travel periodically between Proxima Fusion sites - Ideally you possess NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH certification, or equivalent H&S qualification. eg. knowledge of German occupational safety frameworks (SiFa) - Ideally you have experience in laboratory safety, cryogenics, high-voltage systems, radiation safety, or advanced manufacturing environments - Ideally you have experience supporting construction, facility build-outs, or technical infrastructure projects - Ideally you are familiar with ISO management systems and audit frameworks - German language skills are preferred. INTERVIEW PROCESS - Recruiter Interview (30-60 min) - Technical Screening (30 min) - Technical Panel (3x60 min) - CEO call (30 min) *This role sits at 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.