Willem Rutten is a PhD candidate in the Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion group, researching application of model-based engineering methods to nuclear fusion reactor design. His work specifically focusses on applications of model-based systems engineering for stellarator concept design. Stellarator concept design features extensive shape optimization in early design stages, which needs to be integrated in the systems engineering approach. This step towards a digital engineering design should accelerate the design process of stellarators putting fusion energy on the grid.

Willem received his bachelor's degree in Applied Physics in 2019 and a double masters' degree in Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion and Mechanical Engineering in 2023, both at Eindhoven University of Technology.