Laser Plasma Diagnostic Specialist

Socket.dev; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Focused Energy seeks a Laser-Plasma Diagnostic Specialist to join the Experimental Physics team. You will design, deploy, and commission advanced diagnostics for inertial fusion energy experiments, enabling characterization of laser-plasma interactions and fusion-relevant physics.

You will work with physicists, optical, mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineers to implement optical, X-ray, charged-particle, and nuclear diagnostics across multiple facilities, advancing

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2-8 years of experience developing or operating diagnostics for laser-plasma physics experiments.
• Experience with optical imaging or spectroscopy, X-ray imaging, particle detectors, neutron diagnostics, or high-speed imaging.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and commission diagnostics for high-energy-density physics and inertial fusion experiments.
• Support diagnostic development across multiple measurement domains: optical, X-ray, charged-particle, neutron/gamma-ray.
• Define diagnostic requirements for new experimental campaigns and facilities.
• Collaborate with engineers to translate diagnostic concepts into operational systems.
• Assist with diagnostic alignment, calibration, commissioning, and experimental operation.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to evaluate diagnostic performance and extract results.
• Contribute to experimental planning, documentation, and reports.
• Support interactions with external collaborators, universities, and national laboratories.

Skills

Laser-plasma diagnostics

Optical diagnostics

X-ray diagnostics

Charged-particle diagnostics

Nuclear diagnostics

Python

MATLAB

Experimental optics

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Physics/Plasma/Optical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is an international deep-tech company based in Germany and the US, working to commercialize laser-driven nuclear fusion. Our mission is to provide clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy to the world. We are rapidly scaling and looking for talented individuals who thrive in building clarity and structure within fast-growing environments.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Laser-Plasma Diagnostic Specialist to join our Experimental Physics team. This role is central to advancing Focused Energy's mission to realize commercial laser-driven fusion power. You will contribute to the development, integration, and deployment of advanced diagnostics for inertial fusion energy (IFE) experiments, enabling the characterization of laser-plasma interactions, target performance, and fusion-relevant physics.

Working alongside physicists, optical, mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineers, you will help design and commission state-of-the-art diagnostic systems spanning optical, X-ray, charged-particle, and nuclear measurements. Your work will directly support the development of next-generation fusion facilities and provide critical experimental data that guides technology development and scientific discovery.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of experimental plasma physics, diagnostic instrumentation, and high-energy laser science while helping build one of the world's most advanced experimental fusion programs.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, integrate, and commission diagnostics for high-energy-density physics and inertial fusion experiments.

• Support diagnostic development across multiple measurement domains, including:

  • Optical diagnostics

  • X-ray imaging and spectroscopy

  • Charged-particle diagnostics

  • Neutron and gamma-ray diagnostics

• Participate in defining diagnostic requirements for new experimental campaigns and facilities.

• Work closely with optical, mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers to translate diagnostic concepts into operational systems.

• Assist with diagnostic alignment, calibration, commissioning, and experimental operation.

• Analyze and interpret experimental data to evaluate diagnostic performance and extract scientific results.

• Contribute to experimental planning, diagnostic documentation, and technical reports.

• Support interactions with external collaborators, universities, and national laboratories.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated expertise in the design, development, integration, or operation of laser-plasma diagnostics.

• Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following diagnostic areas, with the ability and willingness to contribute across multiple diagnostic disciplines:

  • Optical diagnostics

  • X-ray diagnostics

  • Charged-particle diagnostics

  • Nuclear diagnostics

• Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field.

• 2-8 years of experience developing or operating diagnostics for laser-plasma physics experiments.

• Experience with one or more diagnostic techniques such as optical imaging or spectroscopy, X-ray imaging, particle detectors, neutron diagnostics, or high-speed imaging.

• Strong understanding of experimental optics, precision instrumentation, and vacuum-based experiments.

• Experience with experimental data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent scientific software.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience at high-power laser facilities.

• Knowledge of inertial confinement fusion, inertial fusion energy, or high-energy-density plasma physics.

• Experience with detector calibration, characterization, and uncertainty analysis.

• Familiarity with vacuum systems, radiation detectors, high-voltage systems, or precision opto-mechanical instrumentation.

• Experience with data acquisition systems, timing systems, and scientific imaging.

• Experience integrating diagnostics into complex experimental facilities.

• Familiarity with CAD software for diagnostic integration and mechanical design.

• Record of scientific publications related to laser-plasma physics or diagnostic development.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.