Xcimer Energy

Develops inertial fusion power using laser

Laser Physicist

Physical SciencesConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeDenver, CO, USA$140k - $190k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree with 3 or more years of experience, or a master's degree with 1–2 years of related laboratory experience.
Advanced knowledge of solid-state and gas pulsed lasers and characterization of laser pulses.
Ability to own and maintain complex laser systems.
Experience specifying, budgeting, purchasing, installing, and operating laser systems, detectors, optics, spectrometers, and other scientific research equipment.
Experience with nonlinear frequency conversion processes.
Ability to independently troubleshoot and solve non-trivial technical issues.
Ability to plan, manage, and execute laser-based experiments.
Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
Ability to work independently without guidance.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Responsibilities

Design, modify, operate, and maintain advanced pulsed laser systems.
Enhance laser beam quality by specifying, sourcing, and installing optical components and hardware.
Select optical components based on laser damage thresholds, transmission, and beam quality requirements; collaborate with vendors to refine specifications and procure these optics.
Develop clear procedures and documentation for technicians, and provide training on complex laser systems to enable basic maintenance and alignment tasks.
Plan, execute, and oversee spectroscopic experiments, ensuring accurate data collection and thorough analysis.
Calibrate laser characterization devices and ensure experimental data is acquired accurately and free of artifacts.
Collaborate closely with engineers, offering clear technical guidance to support the design and development of laser systems.
Assist optics engineers with aligning complex laser beam paths, calibrating laser diagnostics equipment, identifying opportunities to improve current diagnostics, writing requirements, and working with vendors to develop high-energy laser diagnostics.
Maintain laser systems by realigning them, diagnosing issues, and coordinating with vendors to resolve component malfunctions and restore system operation.
Conduct spectroscopic experiments, collect and process data, and collaborate with experimentalists, theorists, optics engineers, and controls engineers to ensure reliable system operation and support experimental needs.

Desired Qualifications

A PhD in electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field.
Expertise in optical spectroscopy, gas kinetics, and data processing.
Experience in laser gain dynamics.
Experience with electro-optical devices.
Experience in pulse shaping of laser pulses.
Experience in spectral shaping of laser pulses.
Hands-on experience aligning Ti:Sapphire laser systems.
Familiarity with fiber optics.
Experience working with high-damage-threshold optics.
Knowledge of phase mask and/or free-form optic manufacturing, specification, and alignment.
Experience with nanosecond and femtosecond pulse diagnostics and characterization, both spectral and temporal.
Experience with vacuum systems.
Experience leading teams of optical, laser, and controls engineers.
Experience building laser beamlines.
Experience working in multidisciplinary research laser facilities, such as national laboratories.
Experience writing scientific papers.
Experience with MATLAB, Python, and LabVIEW.

Salary Range: 140000 to 190000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion!

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.

As a Laser Physicist, you will apply your expertise to design, build, modify, and operate both new and existing pulsed laser systems. You will enhance and optimize these systems, such as improving laser beam quality, and work with vendors to procure necessary hardware devices needed for specific laser upgrades. Additionally, you will assist optics engineers with aligning complex laser beam paths, calibrating laser diagnostics equipment, identifying opportunities to improve current diagnostics, writing requirements, and working with vendors to develop state-of-the-art high-energy laser diagnostics. Part of your responsibilities will include maintaining laser systems, which involves realignment, diagnosing issues, and coordinating with vendors to resolve component malfunctions and quickly bring the system back online. You will also conduct spectroscopic experiments, collect and process data, and collaborate closely with experimentalists, theorists, optics engineers, and controls engineers to ensure the system runs reliably and supports experimental needs.

We are looking for our scientists and engineers to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!

Responsibilities

Design, modify, operate, and maintain advanced pulsed laser systems.
Enhance laser beam quality by specifying, sourcing, and installing optical components and hardware.
Select optical components based on laser damage thresholds, transmission, and beam quality requirements; collaborate with vendors to refine specifications and procure these optics.
Develop clear procedures and documentation for technicians, providing training on complex laser systems to enable basic maintenance and alignment tasks.
Plan, execute, and oversee spectroscopic experiments, ensuring accurate data collection and thorough analysis.
Calibrate laser characterization devices and ensure experimental data is acquired accurately and free of artifacts.
Collaborate closely with engineers, offering clear technical guidance to support the design and development of laser systems.

Qualifications

BS with 3+ years of experience, MS with 1-2 years of related lab experience, PhD desired.
Advanced knowledge in solid state and gas pulsed lasers and characterization of laser pulses.
Ability to own and maintain complex laser systems.
Experience in specifying, budgeting, purchasing, installing, and operating laser systems, detectors, optics, spectrometers, and other scientific research equipment.
Experience in nonlinear frequency conversion processes.
Independent troubleshooting and solving non-trivial technical issues.
Planning, managing, and executing laser-based experiments.
Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
Highly self-motivated, with the ability to work independently without guidance.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Desired

PhD in electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, or related fields.
Expertise in optical spectroscopy, gas kinetics, and data processing.
Experience in laser gain dynamics
Experience with electro-optical devices.
Experience in pulse shaping of laser pulses.
Experience in spectral shaping of laser pulses.
Hands-on experience with aligning Ti:Sapphire laser systems.
Familiarity with fiber optics.
Experience working with high-damage-threshold optics.
Knowledge of phase mask and/or free-form optic manufacturing, specification, and alignment.
Experience with ns and fs pulse diagnostics and characterization (spectral and temporal).
Experience with vacuum systems.
Experience leading teams of optical, laser, and controls engineers
Experience building laser beamlines
Experience working in multidisciplinary research laser facilities, such as national labs
Experience in writing scientific papers.
Experience in Matlab, Python, and LabVIEW.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Benefits

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success.

Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.

About the Company

Xcimer Energy

Develops inertial fusion power using laser

Xcimer Energy develops inertial fusion energy systems to provide fusion-powered electricity. Its core setup combines a 10+ megajoule KrF laser, a consumable hydrogen fusion target, and a HYLIFE-style chamber with a liquid-lithium wall to absorb energy and protect the reactor. The laser compresses and ignites the hydrogen target to release fusion energy, which is then captured and sent to a power conversion system. The company aims to offer economical, scalable fusion power for utility-scale electricity generation within the next decade.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $148.3M
Headquarters: Denver, CO
Founded: 2021

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