Molten Salt Scientist

Xcimer Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Equity

Job summary

Xcimer Energy, based in Denver, CO, seeks a Molten Salt Scientist for an on-site, full-time role to drive the molten salt research program. Lead the lab design, experimental campaigns, and collaboration across science and engineering teams to advance fusion system technology.

You will define a roadmap for molten salt capabilities, oversee high-temperature fluid experiments, and translate results into concrete design guidance for scalable fusion power systems.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical Engineering or closely related field.
• 8+ years of experience in experimental high-temperature fluids (molten salts or liquid metals), experimental R&D, or technology development for complex nuclear or fusion systems.
• Demonstrated hands-on laboratory experience and ability to establish a new experimental capability from the ground up.
• Experience designing and executing experiments that raise component or system technology readiness.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary scientific or R&D organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, build, commissioning, and operation of the Molten Salt Laboratory including sourcing materials and equipment, mentoring science and engineering teams, and developing molten salt operational experience and expertise.
• Define and own the development roadmap for molten salt capabilities including science and engineering workscopes from small pots of static molten salt to large, forced flow integrated effects test loops.
• Develop the timeline for key prototypical thermal-hydraulic test environments including fabrication methods, corrosion tests, jet nozzle design and testing, and mass and heat exchanger design and testing.
• Partner with other Science departments and with Engineering and Operations to align on goals for fusion power systems development.
• Translate scientific insights, experimental data, and hands-on experience into design guidance for teams responsible for fusion system architecture.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Experimental R&D

Thermal hydraulics

High temperature fluids

Scientific publications

Project management

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Job description

Molten Salt ScientistDenver, COScience – Nuclear Science /Full-Time /On-siteXcimer 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, build, commissioning, and operation of the Molten Salt Laboratory including sourcing materials and equipment, mentoring science and engineering teams, and developing molten salt operational experience and expertise.
• Define and own the development roadmap for molten salt capabilities including science and engineering workscopes from small pots of static molten salt all the way to large, forced flow integrated effects test loops.
• Develop the timeline for key prototypical thermal-hydraulic test environments including fabrication methods, corrosion tests, jet nozzle design and testing, and mass and heat exchanger design and testing.
• Partner with other Science departments and with the Engineering and Operations divisions to ensure strong communication, and to align on scientific, engineering, and operational goals for fusion power systems development.
• Translate scientific insights, experimental data, and hands‑on-experience into design guidance for teams responsible for fusion system architecture.
• 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 materials, pumps, and fabricated components for high temperature salt systems.
• Establish molten salt laboratory research best practices, documentation standards, review processes, and quality expectations.
• Support system troubleshooting, root‑cause investigations, and engineering review of failures or anomalies encountered in development of experimental operations.

Qualifications

• Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in experimental high temperature fluids (molten salts or liquid metals), experimental R&D, or technology development for complex nuclear or fusion systems under extreme thermal and radiation environments.
• Deep experience with high temperature fluids, thermal-hydraulics, and industrial scale systems.
• Demonstrated hands‑on laboratory experience and the ability to establish a new experimental capability from the ground up.
• Experience designing and executing experiments that raise component or system technology readiness.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary scientific or R&D organizations.
• Proven record of mentoring and growing high‑performing technical teams.
• Strong publication and scientific or engineering leadership record.
• Ability to operate effectively within a rapidly evolving organization transitioning from startup to industrial scale.
• Ability to balance hands‑on engineering and scientific leadership with high‑level strategic direction and organizational oversight.
• 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 or granted asylum.

Desired

• Experience: 12+ years of experience in experimental high temperature fluids (molten salts or liquid metals), experimental R&D, or technology development for complex nuclear or fusion systems under extreme thermal and radiation environments.
• Familiarity with fusion safety and regulatory requirements.
• Experience working under and adhering to beryllium safety requirements.
• Experience in the commercial nuclear industry or fusion experimental facilities.
• Familiarity with fusion plant design and commercialization efforts.

$140,000 - $210,000 a yearCandidates 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.

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.

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.

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.