Director of Optical Engineering

Fusion Energy Base; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Flexible Paid Time Off

Job summary

Fusion Energy Base is seeking a Director of Optical Engineering in Denver, CO to lead the Optical Engineering department. You will oversee the design and development of advanced laser optical systems while mentoring a high-performing team.

Qualified candidates should have a MS degree in Optical Engineering and 10+ years in the field, alongside leadership experience. The role offers a salary between $190,000 and $220,000 per year along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in optical engineering: design, analysis, integration and testing.
• 15+ years leading technical teams and engineering organizations.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Optical Engineering team.
• Develop optical architectures for laser systems.
• Oversee system integration and commissioning.

Skills

Optical design software

MATLAB

Python

Optical tolerancing

Communication

Leadership

Education

MS degree in Optical Engineering

Tools

Zemax

Interferometers

Theodolites

Job description

Role Overview

Director of Optical Engineering – Denver, CO – Full‑time, On‑site. Leads the Optical Engineering department responsible for the design, development, qualification and commissioning of state‑of‑the‑art UV laser optical systems for laser‑driven inertial fusion. Combines deep technical expertise with people leadership to build a high‑performing team and deliver optical architectures that support Xcimer’s fusion and directed energy missions.

Responsibilities

• Organizational Leadership
  • Build, lead, mentor and grow the Optical Engineering team through hiring, coaching, performance management, and career development.
  • Establish team goals, priorities, staffing plans, and capabilities aligned with company objectives.
  • Develop engineering processes, design standards, documentation practices, and quality expectations for the optical engineering organization.
  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Partner with executive leadership to develop long‑term optical engineering strategy and growth plans.
• Technical Leadership
  • Oversee the development of optical architectures for laser beamlines, diagnostics, adaptive optics systems, beam transport systems and related subsystems.
  • Work with science, systems engineering, and laser teams to derive, allocate and manage optical system requirements.
  • Provide technical oversight for optical design, tolerancing, alignment strategies and system performance analyses.
  • Chair reviews of optical designs and analyses, ensuring technical rigor and adherence to performance requirements.
  • Guide development of active beam control systems including adaptive optics, beam stabilization and tracking.
  • Ensure specifications for optical components, coatings, imaging systems, cameras, sensors and precision assemblies comply with the product development process.
  • Drive resolution of complex optical performance issues through modeling, experimentation, root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
  • Oversee optical system integration, alignment, verification, validation and commissioning activities.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with optomechanical teams to optimize system performance, manufacturability, alignment accessibility and maintainability.
  • Collaborate with optical physicists, electrical engineers, controls engineers and software engineers to develop integrated laser and diagnostic systems.
  • Support supplier selection, technical evaluations and strategic relationships with optical vendors and manufacturing partners.
  • Work closely with program management to identify risks, develop mitigation plans and ensure successful program milestones.
  • Present technical status, risks and recommendations to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders.

Qualifications

• MS degree in Optical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in optical engineering: design, analysis, integration and testing of complex optical systems.
• 15+ years of experience leading technical teams and managing engineering organizations.
• Expertise with optical design software such as Zemax (preferred), CODE V or equivalent.
• Strong experience with MATLAB, Python or similar engineering software.
• Deep understanding of optical design methodologies, optimization techniques and performance metrics for imaging and laser systems.
• Experience with optical tolerancing, fabrication specifications, statistical performance analysis and alignment sensitivity assessments.
• Experience integrating and aligning complex optical systems using instrumentation such as theodolites, autocollimators, laser trackers, interferometers and related metrology equipment.
• Experience performing optical metrology and characterization: interferometric measurements, surface quality assessment, scatter characterization and precision inspection techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts from concept through integration and testing.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legally admitted refugee/asylum seeker.

Desired Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Optical Science, Physics or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in optical system design, optimization, tolerancing, integration and precision alignment.
• Experience working in a Matrix Organization delivering multiple projects and programs simultaneously.
• Experience leading optical engineering organizations in large‑scale technical programs.
• Experience designing adaptive optics systems and beam pointing stabilization systems.
• Experience performing high‑fidelity physical optics modeling and wavefront propagation analyses.
• Experience with high‑energy laser systems and deep ultraviolet (UV) optical systems.
• Experience developing comprehensive end‑to‑end optical system models and performance budgets.
• Experience defining and flowing requirements from system‑level architectures to subsystems and component specifications.
• Experience supporting development of advanced scientific, aerospace, defense, fusion or directed‑energy systems.
• Demonstrated success scaling engineering teams in fast‑paced, high‑growth technical organizations.

Salary

$190,000 – $220,000 per year. Base salary determined individually and may vary based on experience, education and skills. Published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

EEO Statement

Xcimer Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to attracting, retaining and developing a highly qualified, diverse workforce. We hire and promote on the basis of qualifications, performance and abilities. We support a workplace that fosters trust, equality and teamwork, and provide all qualified applicants and employees equal opportunities for hire, promotion and employment terms regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability and other protected characteristics. Xcimer will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable laws.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability insurance.
• Paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption.
• 401(k) with company match up to 6%.
• Equity participation.
• Flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) – employees may take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting role expectations.
• Paid sick time.
• 13 company‑paid holidays.
• Annual paid company shutdown.