Senior Laser Engineer

Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion. Backed by our $240M Series A — the largest fully secured Series A in the global fusion industry — we are scaling rapidly across multiple geographies.

Based in Germany and the US, we have brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to realize game-changing scientific innovation that promises to deliver a clean, sustainable and abundant source of power globally.

Your Role

Focused Energy's Austin laser team is building and commissioning a kJ-class laser system. We are seeking a Senior Laser Engineer to be the technical anchor for coherent optical beam smoothing (SSD) in Austin. This person will turn laser front end requirements into commissioned, operating systems. You will own the fiber-based front end of our coherent 2DSSD set up, and will progressively take ownership of the free-space beam smoothing, amplification, and frequency conversion portions of the system as the program matures. This is a hands-on, on-site role at the center of a cutting-edge laser facility, working alongside senior laser scientists and engineers.

What You'll Do

• Own the fiber-based front end laser design, specification, setup, implementation, and operations, from initial specifications through commissioning.

• Lead translation of free-space beam path designs into physical optomechanical layouts, producing complete and accurate BOMs in close collaboration with Laser team leadership.

• Drive beam-smoothing component procurement, with laser team members and external vendors.

• Work with the rest of the beam-smoothing team to design and implement amplification and frequency conversion of the 2DSSD front end.

• Lead experiments to diagnose FM-AM effects and beam-smoothing effectiveness at 1w and 3w.

• Ensure cleanroom protocols are followed during optical handling and installation; coordinate cleanroom upgrade activities as required.

• Partner with Controls Engineering on the laser diagnostic and alignment automation architecture, providing optical requirements and interface definitions.

• Support laser efforts for Target Tracking and Engagement as necessary.

Who You Are

Must-haves

• Deep, hands-on experience with fiber-based and free space laser systems, precision beam alignment, and optical system integration.

• Demonstrated ability to translate beam path plans into physical optomechanical layouts and produce complete, procurable BOMs.

• Working knowledge of standard laser diagnostic instrumentation, alignment and wavefront characterization, and cleanroom handling procedures for high-damage-threshold optics.

• Comfort operating independently on optical layout, alignment approach, and component selection, escalating only on system-architecture or facility-level trade-offs.

• Familiarity with laser safety standards and protocols (ANSI Z136 / Class 4).

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with pulsed laser systems (CPA or Q-switched); petawatt-class, kJ-class, or equivalent high-power facility experience is a significant advantage.

• Optomechanical CAD experience.

• Prior work coordinating with Controls Engineering on diagnostic or alignment automation interfaces.

• A track record as the go-to technical resource for laser benchtop design — mentoring through hands-on example rather than formal authority.

• Experience supporting beam-smoothing or amplifier characterization efforts.

• Entrepreneurial mindset: thrives in a startup environment; self-directed and energized by building laser engineering capability from the ground up.

• Mission-driven: genuinely motivated by the prospect of making fusion energy commercially real.

What We Offer

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.

• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you'll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.

• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.

• Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.

• Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.

• Medical, Dental, Vision: Multiple great plans to pick from that are active come the 1st Day of employment for you and any enrolled dependents.

• Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you Unlimited PTO.

• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks.

• Retirement Plan: If you decide to enroll in our 401k plan, we will match up to 4% on top of the employee contribution.

• Equipment: We offer state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptops. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.

• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.