Laser Architect (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 Laser Architect to join our dynamic laser development team. The Laser Architect is the system‑level technical lead responsible for the conceptual design, modeling, and experimental validation of laser driver architectures for inertial fusion energy (IFE) at the research and pre‑pilot stage.

This role focuses on defining and evolving credible laser driver concepts that can ultimately support fusion energy production, while operating primarily at the R&D and demonstrator level, where performance exploration, risk reduction, and physics‑driven trade studies dominate over industrial optimization.

The Laser Architect ensures coherence between laser physics, system architecture, and fusion requirements, guiding the transition from laboratory concepts toward scalable driver solutions. They enable the transition of inertial fusion energy from proof‑of‑principle laser experiments toward credible, scalable driver concepts, shaping the technical foundations on which future pilot plants and commercial systems will be built.

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  Define and refine laser driver concepts suitable for IFE.

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  Explore alternative architectures and assess their feasibility through modeling and experiments.

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  Maintain ownership of the global architectural vision, even as individual subsystems evolve in parallel.

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  Define the laser R&D roadmap, including critical component development/evaluation, integrated beamline demonstrators, and intermediate testbeds

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  Work closely with experimental teams to ensure results feed back into architectural decisions

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  Support design of diagnostics and test protocols aligned with future scaling needs.

• 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