Digital Twin Architect for Fusion Plant Modeling

Focused; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401k with 4% match

Unlimited PTO

Medical, Dental, Vision plans

Job summary

Focused Energy is advancing laser-driven inertial fusion energy toward commercial power. As Principal Scientist, you will lead a team of scientists developing and owning integrated physics models for an IFE plant, coordinating across laser, target, chamber, and manufacturing subsystems.

You will set modeling standards, validate codes against real shot data, and drive science direction while collaborating with external partners and the Digital Twin team to ensure the plant model supports rigorous

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physics with specialization in Plasma, Laser, Nuclear, or related field.
• PhD strongly preferred for senior leadership and research direction.
• Deep expertise in IFE/ICF physics including target implosion design and laser-plasma interaction.
• Track record developing, validating, and publishing physics simulation codes (hydrodynamics, radiation-hydrodynamics, PIC, ray tracing, Monte Carlo neutronics).
• Strong programming skills (Python, Fortran, C++, or equivalent) and experience with HPC/large-scale simulation workflows.

Responsibilities

• Integrate physics modeling across all IFE subsystems: laser, target, chamber, injection/tracking, manufacturing.
• Validate subsystem codes and quantify model uncertainty.
• Set scientific direction, standards, and validation philosophy for the Digital Twin team.
• Lead development of an integrated IFE plant model.
• Perform trade-off analyses with the Science team to inform design choices.
• Collaborate with experimental physics teams to validate codes against shot data (NIF, OMEGA, ELI, etc.).
• Partner with Digital Twin team and external collaborators to keep modeling at the frontier.
• Present modeling work to executives, program management, and investors.

Skills

IFE/ICF physics

Physics simulation codes

Python/Fortran/C++

HPC/large-scale workflows

Systems-level modeling

Technical leadership

Communication with executives

Education

Master's degree in Physics

PhD preferred

Job description

Focused Energy is advancing laser-driven inertial fusion energy toward commercial power. As Principal Scientist, you will lead a team of scientists developing and owning integrated physics models for an IFE plant, coordinating across laser, target, chamber, and manufacturing subsystems.

You will set modeling standards, validate codes against real shot data, and drive science direction while collaborating with external partners and the Digital Twin team to ensure the plant model supports rigorous