Head of Licensing & Regulation

About the Position

Head of Licensing & Regulation

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead Proxima Fusion’s licensing and regulatory strategy across Alpha and Stellaris.
• Define a clear and credible regulatory pathway for Alpha, Proxima’s net-energy-gain stellarator in Munich.
• Lead regulatory and site-feasibility work for Stellaris, Proxima’s first-of-a-kind fusion power plant planned at Gundremmingen with RWE.
• Translate complex and unfamiliar regulatory requirements into practical, executable plans.
• Identify licensing risks, critical dependencies, approval milestones, and potential regulatory blockers early.
• Simplify regulatory complexity and remove unnecessary obstacles from the programme.
• Build constructive relationships with regulators, public authorities, external partners, and technical experts.
• Represent Proxima in regulatory discussions and establish credibility with key decision-makers.
• Coordinate closely with engineering, finance, operations, and programme leadership.
• Ensure technical and commercial decisions are aligned with licensing requirements.
• Support site-selection, permitting, environmental, safety, and regulatory-readiness activities.
• Develop regulatory positions, submissions, evidence packages, and engagement strategies.
• Create a licensing approach that supports speed without compromising safety, quality, or credibility.
• Help demonstrate that ambitious industrial projects can be permitted and delivered quickly in Europe.
• Report directly to the COO and provide clear recommendations on regulatory strategy, risk, and progress.

Requirements

• Substantial experience navigating licensing and regulatory environments for complex industrial or energy infrastructure projects.
• A bias toward speed and pragmatic action, driven to prove that Europe can build fast.
• A demonstrated instinct for finding simplicity where others see only complexity, and for reducing bureaucratic friction rather than adding process.
• Comfortable and effective working directly with regulators and government bodies, building credibility and trust over time.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to connect naturally across engineering, finance, and operations, as well as with external partners and regulators.
• An excellent communicator and relationship-builder, fluent in English, with German a strong plus.
• Experience in nuclear fission and/or fusion licensing is a plus, though not required.
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, Munich.

We Offer

• Opportunity to work on some of the most complex tech challenges to bring abundant, safe, clean energy to the world.
• 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.

About the Company

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.