Optical Engineer, Digital Twin

Focused Energy Inc.

Optical Engineer developing and validating optical and multiphysics simulation tools for Digital Twin applications at a fusion energy startup. Collaborating with engineers and physicists for system optimization.

Posted 6/8/2026full-timeAustin • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and maintain integrated optical and multiphysics simulation frameworks (optical, thermal, mechanical coupling) for Digital Twin applications
Model complex laser amplifier architectures, including gain media, pump geometries, and thermal effects
Build, integrate, and continuously refine the Digital Twin environment for system-level prediction and optimization
Validate simulation models against experimental data and perform sensitivity and uncertainty analysis
Develop reduced-order and surrogate models for efficient Digital Twin deployment
Collaborate with optical engineers, laser physicists, and experimental teams to translate simulation results into engineering design decisions
Interface with Digital Twin architects, systems engineers, and program management to ensure models meet project requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master’s or PhD in optics, computational physics, applied mathematics, or a related field
Strong experience in optical and multiphysics simulation of complex physical systems
Ability to couple multiple physical domains (optical, thermal, mechanical, fluid) into coherent system-level models
Solid understanding of laser and optical physics (propagation, amplification, spectral and nonlinear effects)
Experience in model validation, uncertainty quantification, and data-driven refinement
Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar
Experience with simulation tools such as COMSOL, ANSYS, Zemax, CodeV, or FRED
Ability to communicate complex simulation results clearly to non-specialists
Strong collaboration skills across interdisciplinary teams
Structured and analytical problem-solving approach
Ability to work independently while aligning with broader system goals
Advanced written and verbal communication skills in English.
Proven experience developing and maintaining Digital Twin models or equivalent system-level simulation frameworks, including data integration and validation

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Retirement plans
Paid time off
Flexible work arrangements
Professional development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

optical simulationmultiphysics simulationmodel validationuncertainty quantificationdata-driven refinementprogramming in Pythonprogramming in MATLABprogramming in C/C++reduced-order modelingsurrogate modeling

Soft Skills

collaborationcommunicationproblem-solvingindependenceanalytical thinkinginterdisciplinary teamworkclear communication of complex resultsstructured approachalignment with system goalsability to work with non-specialists

Certifications

Master’s degree in opticsPhD in computational physicsPhD in applied mathematics