Diode Laser Engineer (f/m/d)

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 skilled and driven Diode Laser Engineer to help design, qualify, and scale the high-power diode laser technologies that will power our next-generation fusion laser systems. In this role, you will work at the intersection of physics, engineering, and industrialization — partnering closely with suppliers, research institutions, and internal system teams to advance the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of laser diode technologies.

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  Diode Technology Development: Design and evaluate high-power laser diode emitters, bars, and stacks to meet demanding performance, efficiency, lifetime, and cost targets for fusion laser applications.

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  Testing & Characterization: Develop and execute comprehensive electro-optical, thermal, and reliability test protocols (P-I-V, spectral behavior, beam quality, thermal resistance, lifetime, etc.) under relevant operating conditions including pulsed, CW, and high-duty-cycle regimes.

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  Automated Test Infrastructure: Design, commission, and operate automated test benches for high-volume characterization and accelerated life testing of commercial and custom laser diode devices.

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  Reliability & Lifetime Modeling: Lead accelerated life testing (ALT / HALT), analyze degradation mechanisms and failure modes, and build predictive lifetime and reliability models to inform system design and operational limits.

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  Supplier & Partner Collaboration: Work closely with industry partners, suppliers, national labs, and academic groups to improve diode performance, packaging, thermal management, and manufacturing readiness.

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  System Integration: Collaborate with DPSSL system and beamline teams to ensure diode technologies integrate effectively into laser modules and support overall system performance and scalability.

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  Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze large experimental datasets, generate rigorous technical documentation, and communicate findings and recommendations clearly to internal teams and external partners.

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in optical, electrical, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field, with deep experience in semiconductor laser physics, epitaxy, packaging, and/or device characterization.

• Proven experience designing, building, and operating laser diode test and characterization setups, including optical, thermal, and electrical diagnostics.

• Strong understanding of thermal management, reliability physics, degradation mechanisms, and lifetime testing methodologies for high-power semiconductor devices.

• Comfortable working with large experimental datasets, applying statistical and modeling tools to extract insights, predict performance, and guide engineering decisions.

• Able to work effectively across internal system teams and with external suppliers, academic collaborators, and industrial partners in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• You naturally think about how component-level decisions affect system-level performance, cost, scalability, and long-term operational viability.

• Preferred: Experience working with diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL), high-average-power laser systems, or adjacent fields such as industrial lasers, photonics manufacturing, or fusion/energy systems.

• Preferred: Experience with thermal, optical, or reliability modeling tools to complement experimental work and support predictive design and scaling.