Laser Engineer

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply.

We are seeking a Laser Engineer/Scientist to join our dynamic laser development team. In this role, you will support the research, conceptualization, design, analysis, construction, and characterization of advanced high-energy laser systems and their sub-systems.

What you’ll do:

• Research and Development: Assist in conducting research and developing innovative concepts for high-energy laser systems.

• System Design: Support the design and analysis of laser systems and sub-systems, ensuring they meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.

• Construction and Characterization: Construction of laser systems and perform detailed characterization to assess their performance and identify areas for improvement.

• Productization, Commercialization, and Mass Production: Contribute to transitioning scientific prototypes to industry-grade systems suitable for mass production and commercial applications.

• Pumping Technologies: Develop systems utilizing both flash-lamp and diode pumping methods.

• Energy, Power: Design and optimize systems from low-energy, low-average powersub-systems to multi-kilojoule (kJ), multi-kilowatt (kW) average-power laser systems.

• Laser Amplification: Enhance the power and quality of laser outputs through advanced amplification techniques.

• Optical Parametric Amplification: Utilize nonlinear optical processes to amplify light and achieve desired wavelengths.

• Frequency Conversion: Develop systems for converting laser frequencies to meet specific application requirements.

• Thermal Management: Implement effective thermal management strategies for high average power laser systems.

• Productization, Commercialization, and Mass Production: Transition scientific prototypes to industry-grade systems suitable for commercial applications and ramp up mass production.

Who you are:

• Master's degree or PhD degree in optics or a related field, or equivalent education and experience, with knowledge of complex physics, optics, or laser systems.

• Understanding of laser physics and engineering, especially in high-energy and high-power systems.

• Knowledge of designing, building, and testing laser systems.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills in English are necessary to deliver presentations, prepare written reports, explain technical information, and provide advice to project sponsors and external collaborators.

• Preferred: Experience in developing, modeling, designing, analyzing, constructing, and characterizing laser systems

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.

• Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.

• Flexibility: We believe work should adapt to your life—not the other way around. That’s why we offer a hybrid setup, giving you the freedom to work from our office while also enjoying the flexibility to work from home when it suits you.

• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a subsidized canteen with delicious lunch options daily.

• Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 15% on top of your monthly contributions.

• Equipment: Choose between a state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptop. 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.

• Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle.

• Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub.

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.