Laser/Optical Simulation Engineer

U.S. Fusion Energy; Energy (IL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match up to 6%

Equity participation

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Xcimer Energy is seeking a Laser/Optical Simulation Engineer to develop a digital twin of our fusion laser architecture, integrating modules across multiple teams. The role demands strong physics/optics background and hands-on coding, with opportunities to influence hardware requirements through system-level analyses.

Denver-based, onsite, you will own the virtual beamline, run simulations, write documentation, and contribute to robust software tooling while collaborating with diverse experts to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in optical physics, lasers, or software engineering.
• Expertise in optical simulation methods, including diffraction, ray tracing, Gaussian beamlet decomposition, laser amplification, turbulence correction, or nonlinear optical propagation.
• Demonstrated ability to write and maintain a high-quality, scalable code base with a team.
• Design of and hands-on experience using complex optical/laser systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including documentation of technical results.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a “virtual beamline” digital twin of our laser architecture.
• Collaborate with Theory/Computation, Software Engineering, Optical and Mechanical Engineering teams to extend the architecture.
• Run Monte Carlo simulations and parameter sensitivity studies using HPC resources.
• Write clear documentation to onboard users and developers.
• Develop, implement, and enforce unit tests and code validation checks.
• Identify and solve unique challenges involving big lasers.

Skills

Optical simulation methods

Diffraction

Ray tracing

Gaussian beamlet decomposition

Laser amplification

Nonlinear optical propagation

High-quality scalable code base

Complex optical/laser systems design

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field

Master’s or PhD in physics, optics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field

Tools

Zemax

FRED

CAD software

Job description

Denver, CO Science – Laser Architecture / 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 a Laser/Optical Simulation Engineer, you will apply your skills and creativity to help develop and take ownership of an end-to-end digital twin (“virtual beamline”) for our fusion laser architecture that utilizes excimer lasers and nonlinear optical compression! You will help develop new modules, define requirements and interfaces for new modules developed by other teams, improve functionality and performance, and ultimately use this end-to-end model to perform system-level trade studies and sensitivity analyses in order to refine hardware requirements. We are looking for our scientists and engineers to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a “virtual beamline” digital twin of our laser architecture
• Work with other teams (Theory/Computation, Software Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.) and key stakeholders to continue the development of a scalable virtual beamline architecture, as well as requirements, interfaces, functionality, and new modules
• Run Monte Carlo simulations and parameter sensitivity studies using HPC resources
• Write clear documentation to allow other users and developers to get up to speed quickly
• Develop, implement, and enforce unit tests and other code validation checks
• Think outside the box to identify and solve unique challenges involving big lasers!

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
• Experience: 6+ years of experience in the fields of optical physics, lasers, or software engineering
• Expertise in optical simulation methods, including one or more of the following: diffraction, ray tracing, Gaussian beamlet decomposition, laser amplification, turbulence correction, or nonlinear optical propagation
• Demonstrated ability to write and maintain a high-quality, scalable code base with a team
• Design of and hands-on experience using complex optical/laser systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including documentation of technical results
• 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

Desired

• Master’s or PhD in physics, optics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in the fields of optical physics, lasers, or software engineering
• Zemax, FRED, or similar software
• Experience with inverse solution methods
• CAD software experience
• Knowledge of algorithm optimization for speed, especially for distributed computing

$175,000 - $225,000 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

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include 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; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success.

Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an 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.