Director, Fusion Nuclear Science — Industrial R&D Leader

XCimer Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 220,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Career development

Job summary

Xcimer Energy, based in Denver, CO, seeks a Director of Fusion Nuclear Science to lead the scientific roadmap for fusion chamber dynamics, blanket multi-physics, and tritium science. You will recruit and mentor world‑class teams and translate research into actionable design guidance for engineering.

The role requires 12+ years in nuclear or fusion R&D, a PhD, and proven leadership—including mentoring programs and publications—while coordinating with executives to align science with

Qualifications

• PhD in Nuclear Science, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics, or closely related field.
• 12+ years of experience in analysis, simulation, experimental R&D, or technology development for complex nuclear or fusion systems under extreme thermal and radiation environments.
• 6+ years in leadership of multidisciplinary scientific or R&D organizations.
• Deep experience with nuclear analysis tools (e.g., MCNP), multi-physics simulation software (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS), and reactor thermohydraulic codes (e.g., RELAP, MELCOR).
• Experience designing and executing experiments that raise component or system technology readiness.
• Proven record of mentoring and growing high-performing technical teams.
• Strong publication and scientific leadership record.
• Ability to operate effectively within a rapidly evolving organization transitioning from startup to industrial scale.
• Ability to balance hands-on scientific leadership with high-level strategic direction and organizational oversight.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead and grow the Fusion Nuclear Science department, including hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and professional development of scientific staff.
• Define and own the scientific roadmap for fusion chamber dynamics, blanket multi-physics, tritium science, and supporting fusion nuclear science domains.
• Develop the strategy for scientific tools, modeling frameworks, experimental capabilities, and validation infrastructure.
• Oversee scientific analysis, modeling, code development, and experimental programs with emphasis on reproducibility, uncertainty quantification, and model credibility.
• Translate scientific insights, experimental data, and validated models into design guidance for engineering teams responsible for fusion system architecture.
• Collaborate closely with the engineering and operations divisions, and with other science departments, to ensure strong communication and alignment.
• Evaluate emerging scientific opportunities and integrate advances from academia, national laboratories, and international fusion programs.
• Manage relationships with external laboratories, university collaborators, and vendors providing modeling tools, experimental facilities, or other fusion nuclear science scope.
• Establish department-wide scientific best practices, documentation standards, review processes, and quality expectations appropriate for industrial fusion systems.
• Identify key scientific risks across fusion nuclear science programs and drive mitigation strategies supporting execution and long-term scalability.
• Support system troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, and scientific review of failures or anomalies encountered in development or experimental operations.
• Align fusion nuclear science priorities with company strategy, program schedules, resource constraints, and commercialization goals in partnership with executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Team management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Publications

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Nuclear Science/Engineering/Physics

Tools

MCNP

COMSOL

ANSYS

RELAP

MELCOR

Job description

Xcimer Energy, based in Denver, CO, seeks a Director of Fusion Nuclear Science to lead the scientific roadmap for fusion chamber dynamics, blanket multi-physics, and tritium science. You will recruit and mentor world‑class teams and translate research into actionable design guidance for engineering.

The role requires 12+ years in nuclear or fusion R&D, a PhD, and proven leadership—including mentoring programs and publications—while coordinating with executives to align science with