Laser Architect

Focused Energy Inc.

Join a fusion energy startup as a Laser Architect leading the design and development of laser systems. Focus on innovative solutions for sustainable energy production through laser-induced inertial fusion.

Posted 4/22/2026full-timeDarmstadt • 🇩🇪 GermanyMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and refine laser driver concepts suitable for IFE.
Explore alternative architectures and assess their feasibility through modeling and experiments.
Maintain ownership of the global architectural vision, even as individual subsystems evolve in parallel.
Define the laser R&D roadmap, including critical component development/evaluation, integrated beamline demonstrators, and intermediate testbeds
Work closely with experimental teams to ensure results feed back into architectural decisions
Support design of diagnostics and test protocols aligned with future scaling needs.

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD or equivalent experience in laser physics, optical engineering, or related fields
Deep expertise in high‑energy and/or high‑average‑power laser systems
Strong background in laser system modeling and scaling analysis
Demonstrated experience in conceptual design and experimental validation of complex laser systems
Ability to operate across physics, optics, and systems‑level reasoning
Ability to bridge theoretical modeling and experimental reality
Operates as a system thinker with strong physics intuition
Comfortable exploring multiple architectural paths in parallel
Values quantitative modeling, experimental feedback, and iterative refinement
Communicates technical trade‑offs clearly to scientists, engineers, and leadership

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.
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.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

laser physicsoptical engineeringhigh-energy laser systemshigh-average-power laser systemslaser system modelingscaling analysisconceptual designexperimental validationdiagnostics designtest protocols

Soft Skills

system thinkingphysics intuitiontechnical communicationiterative refinementquantitative modelingexperimental feedbackcross-disciplinary collaborationarchitectural explorationproblem-solvingadaptability

Certifications

PhD in laser physicsPhD in optical engineering