Adaptive Optics Engineer for High-Energy Laser Systems

U.S. Fusion Energy; Energy (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) with company match

Equity

Job summary

Xcimer Energy in Denver, CO is seeking an Electro-Optical / Adaptive Optics Engineer to develop wave-optics models, tune control algorithms, and align high-energy AO hardware for inertial fusion laser systems.

The role spans simulation and hardware, requiring collaboration across optical, mechanical, controls, and software teams. Top candidates will have 5+ years of AO experience and strong proficiency in MATLAB/Python/C++. On-site role with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in optical science/engineering, physics, or related field.
• 5+ years of optical science/engineering experience, including 3+ years in adaptive optics.
• Experience with wavefront sensors and deformable mirrors and reconstruction methods.
• Experience with high-fidelity wave-optics propagation in near/far field.
• Hands-on optical subsystem integration and alignment.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or C/C++/C# for modeling and control.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement optimization routines for the adaptive optics control loop and characterize performance against data.
• Design algorithms for spatial beam shaping using phase plates and adaptive optics.
• Align, calibrate, and operate adaptive optics hardware on a high-energy laser system, including deformable mirrors and wavefront sensors.
• Build auto-alignment methods to make beamline setup repeatable and fast.
• Characterize optical environment and translate findings into AO requirements.
• Model and validate wavefront propagation with the Theory and Computation team against measurements.
• Contribute to wavefront error budgets and tolerance analyses from system to component level.
• Collaborate with vendors to develop next-gen AO platforms focusing on deformable mirrors and wavefront sensors.
• Integrate AO within the laser control system with required controls, interlocks, and operator UI.
• Write and maintain test plans, alignment procedures, and calibration records for reproducibility.
• Maintain contamination-control discipline for deep-UV, high-fluence optics

Skills

Adaptive optics systems

Wavefront sensors

Deformable mirrors

Optimization methods

Wavefront reconstruction

MATLAB

Python

C/C++/C#

Beam shaping

Control systems

Education

B.S. in optical science/engineering or physics

Tools

LabVIEW

Embedded firmware

Job description

Xcimer Energy in Denver, CO is seeking an Electro-Optical / Adaptive Optics Engineer to develop wave-optics models, tune control algorithms, and align high-energy AO hardware for inertial fusion laser systems.

The role spans simulation and hardware, requiring collaboration across optical, mechanical, controls, and software teams. Top candidates will have 5+ years of AO experience and strong proficiency in MATLAB/Python/C++. On-site role with competitive compensation and benefits.