Fluids and Auxiliaries Operations Lead

Fusion Energy Base; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 117,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Equity

Paid parental leave

13 company‑paid holidays

Job summary

Xcimer Energy in Denver, CO is seeking a Fluids, Vacuum, and Cryogenic Operations Lead for its high‑power laser program. You will own operation of fluids, vacuum and cryogenic systems, lead engineers and technicians, and coordinate experiment readiness.

This role requires a BS in engineering, 5+ years in operations, and ability to work on fixed shifts with overtime as needed. The team aims to deliver reliable systems for scheduled experiments, with a focus on safety and maintenance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (BS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering).
• 5+ years of technical operations, maintenance, and test experience for fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems.
• Experience leading teams to maintain and operate complex, high-risk systems.
• U.S. citizen/national, U.S. permanent resident, or granted asylum/refugee status.
• Willing to work a fixed 8-hour shift with potential overtime during critical periods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead maintenance and operations for fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic components to ensure availability for experiments.
• Develop the fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic operations schedule for experiments, maintenance, and system upgrades.
• Lead engineers and technicians to complete the needed work safely, correctly, and on time.
• Lead post‑experiment data reviews to confirm proper system function and determine if additional system work is needed ahead of the next experiments.
• Troubleshooting anomalies in the fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems.
• Develop operational infrastructure related to the fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems such as operating limits, operating procedures, preventative maintenance requirements.

Skills

Fluids systems

Vacuum systems

Cryogenic systems

Team leadership

Mechanical engineering

Education

BS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Control systems

Job description

Fluids and Auxiliaries Operations Lead Denver, CO Engineering – Manufacturing Operations /Full-Time /On-site

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion! This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO. As the Fluids, Vacuum, and Cryogenic Operations Lead for our superlasers, you will own, and be accountable for, the proper operation of our superlaser fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems hardware. You and the other operations leads will receive requested experiments from the Xcimer science team and you will use your technical and operational expertise in fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems to develop the operations schedule for experiments, maintenance, and upgrades on these systems. You will lead engineers and technicians in completing this work – ensuring the fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems function when needed for tests. You will also lead post‑experiment data reviews to confirm proper system function and determine if additional system work is needed ahead of the next experiments. You will assist with troubleshooting anomalies in the superlasers’ fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems. You will also disposition non‑conformances and develop operational infrastructure related to the fluids, vaccum, and cryogenic systems such as: operating limits, operating procedures, preventative maintenance requirements, etc. During work on your systems, you will lead hands‑on work, helping with the work and leading technicians and other engineers to successfully execute.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead execution of maintenance and operations of the fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic components of Phoenix to ensure they are reliably available and functional for scheduled experiments on time.
• Develop the fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic operations schedule for experiments, maintenance, and system upgrades – working with the other leads, shot directors, and program managers.
• Lead engineers and technicians to complete the needed work safely, correctly, and on time.
• Lead post‑experiment data reviews to confirm proper system function and determine if additional system work is needed ahead of the next experiments.
• Troubleshooting anomalies in the superlasers’ fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems.
• Develop operational infrastructure related to the fluids, vaccum, and cryogenic systems such as operating limits, operating procedures, preventative maintenance requirements, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in engineering (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering)
• 5+ years experience in technical operations, maintenance, and test of fluids, vacuum, and cryogenic systems
• Experience leading teams to maintain and operate complex, high risk systems
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum
• Must be willing to work on a set 8 hour shift with set start and stop times. Must also be willing to work over on non‑shift hours during critical times.

Desired

• Advanced degree in laser engineering (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with concentration in Laser Engineering or Bachelor’s degree in Photonics with a focus on laser systems, etc)
• Working knowledge of control systems and mechanical/pneumatic equipment

$117,300 - $138,000 a year Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• basic and supplemental life insurance
• short- and long-term disability
• paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%
• equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success
• flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach
• paid sick time
• 13 company‑paid holidays
• annual paid company shutdown

Benefits are available to regular employees, including part‑time and fixed‑term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.