Safety Engineer

Focused Energy is the leading laser-driven fusion company pursuing the most promising path to clean, limitless fusion power. The global company, based in Darmstadt, Germany and the San Francisco Bay Area, has brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to unleash the next chapter of economic growth and scientific innovation through the widespread adoption of clean, abundant fusion power.

At Focused Energy, we are developing SourceLight, a breakthrough initiative that pioneers compact, laser-driven radiation sources (LDRS) based on high-power laser technology. These dual-mode sources combine MeV X-rays and fast neutrons in a single system. The platform is modular and enables non-destructive inspection of materials, even when those that are complex or shielded.

SourceLight’s technology addresses critical challenges across nuclear waste analysis, contraband detection, infrastructure inspection, and medical isotope production. With its unique combination of resolution, material specificity, and deployment flexibility, LDRS opens up new possibilities far beyond conventional systems for non-destructive testing.

We bring together a cross-disciplinary team of laser and plasma physicists, engineers, and AI experts. We are building our first facility in Biblis (Germany), with the goal to reach market readiness and commercial deployment quite soon.

Be part of shaping this deep-tech venture from the ground up!

What you’ll do:

• Conduct hazard and risk assessments of subsystems (vacuum, cryogenics, lasers, power supplies, plasma interfaces) following industrial risk assessment standards.

• Assist in creation and maintenance of safety documentation (safety cases, operational limits, procedures).

• Support design reviews with safety input.

• Evaluate proposed changes for safety impact; participate in the change control process.

• Help respond to operational anomalies, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions.

• Assist in training, safety audits, and drills.

• Monitor regulatory developments related to nuclear, radiation protection, and high-hazard systems.

• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure safety is integrated into system development.

• Preferred: Familiarity with radiation protection, neutron activation, activation product handling

• Preferred: Experience interfacing with regulators or writing safety documentation

Who you are:

• Master’s or equivalent in engineering, physics, or related field, with safety / high-hazard coursework / experience

• 3+ years of relevant experience in safety / hazard / risk analysis, preferably in high-hazard / nuclear / physics / industrial settings

• Working knowledge of hazard analysis tools (FMEA, FTA, event trees, fault trees, HAZOP)

• Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities

• Good communication and documentation skills

• English and German language skills required

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.