Laser Diode Technology 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 Laser Diode Technology Engineer, who will own and drive the Diode Advance Program. This is a multi-year, multi-partner R&D initiative spanning leading research institutes, semiconductor manufacturers, and industrial partners. You will combine hands-on technical leadership with program management, ensuring that what gets developed in the lab can be built and deployed at commercial scale.

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  Own the Diode Advance Program end-to-end: scope, schedule, budget, risks, and deliverables across all work packages, including next-generation development, exploratory R&D, manufacturability confirmation, subsystem cost reduction, cost modeling, and beam-shaping optimization.

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  Serve as primary technical interface with external research partners on diode bar development, overseeing both an evolutionary performance track and a high-risk/high-reward exploratory concept.

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  Coordinate manufacturability reviews with multiple diode manufacturers; manage separate design-review cycles to confirm that R&D designs can be produced at commercial scale. Maintain the confidentiality firewall between competing manufacturers.

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  Drive power-supply and cooling cost-down: manage collaborations with industrial partners to benchmark, redesign, and prototype improved driver electronics and cooling subsystems; scout and onboard additional partners.

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  Provide technical inputs to the diode cost model covering the full stack and translate cost targets into engineering requirements.

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  Communicate program progress, risks, and decisions clearly to executive leadership and all internal and external stakeholders.

• Master's degree (or higher) in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, product development, or technical project management in a multi-physics environment (thermal, electrical, optical, mechanical).

• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-partner R&D projects, coordinating external research institutes, industrial suppliers, and internal teams simultaneously.

• Hands-on experience translating R&D outputs into manufacturable products: design-for-manufacturing, supplier coordination, and prototype-to-production transitions.

• Strong cost and manufacturability mindset

• Fluency in English

• Self-directed, structured, and comfortable operating in a fast-moving startup

• Preferred: Experience with high-power diode lasers