Head of Controls (f/m/x)

Who we are

Founded in 2019, Marvel Fusion is Europe’s leading fusion energy company, uniting 75 scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs across our locations in Munich and Colorado.

Backed by over €385 million in public and private funding, we’re driven by a shared mission: to deliver clean, abundant energy to the world.

Why Marvel Fusion

By joining us, you will be:

• Solving one of the most complex technological challenges known to humanity, harnessing fusion on Earth
• Part of a highly purpose‑driven team working on providing the world with clean, safe and abundant energy
• Working alongside world‑leading scientists and entrepreneurs in the field of fusion
• Part of a start‑up where growth on a company and individual level is the default

What this role is

• A manager and systems integrator, not a deep‑tech individual contributor.
• Single point of accountability for controls, end to end.
• Owner of system design across all subsystems: laser, vacuum, beam transport, telemetry, and computer/control systems brought into one coherent whole.
• Designing controls not only for today’s experimental facility but for the future power plant, thinking years ahead on what becomes technically possible.

What you will own

• Architecture and integration of the central control system (PLT) across all subsystems.
• Facility‑level control system integration for an experimental facility (not factory or serial production).
• Femtosecond‑level synchronization with the high‑power laser.
• Vacuum integration and beam transport.
• Telemetry plus control integration into the central system.
• The core challenge: integration of physical systems into computer and control systems.
• Building, structuring, and leading the controls team. Hire, mentor, and genuinely support the people in it.
• The long‑term controls vision, scaling from today’s experimental setup toward a future power plant.

What you bring

• Proven leadership of technical teams in a scientific or experimental facility, not serial/factory production.
• Strong systems design and integration background. Connect complex subsystems into a working whole.
• Solid understanding of laser technology, ideally ultra‑short‑pulse laser and laser architecture.
• Experience working with software teams and a working understanding of software development.
• Excellent stakeholder and project management. Manager and communicator first.
• Visionary thinking: design for what becomes technically possible years ahead.

Nice to have

• Track record building a controls function or team from the ground up.

What we offer

Our mission is motivation enough for many. But we also support our team with benefits that foster wellbeing and growth:

• Public transport reimbursement
• EGYM Wellpass fitness club access
• Complimentary health insurance
• Professional development support
• Healthy office snacks