Optical Manufacturing Engineer

Fusion Energy Base; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Equity participation

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Xcimer Energy in Denver, CO is seeking an Optical Manufacturing Engineer to optimize production of optical assemblies, vessels, diagnostics, and optics. You will turn engineering designs into hardware, improve existing production lines, and ensure quality and throughput while maintaining rigorous safety and process standards.

You will create work instructions, provide training, and offer hands-on support to production teams.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years of direct manufacturing and manufacturing engineering experience in an R&D environment.
• Develop clear manufacturing work instructions covering fabrication, assembly, testing, and integration processes.
• Strong skills in quality control, build sequence optimization, and schedule adherence.

Responsibilities

• Provide DFM input to product design to simplify processes and tooling.
• Translate intent, drawings, and configurations into hardware ready for test and use.
• Create and modify work instructions and routings for technicians and material planning.
• Drive continuous improvement of manufacturing to improve quality, reduce cost, and optimize build sequences.
• Provide oversight and hands-on assistance during assembly by interdisciplinary technicians.
• Define and support repair and rework procedures as needed.
• Disposition NCRs where delegated by the Responsible Engineer.
• Handle procurement activities for hardware, tools, and facility equipment.
• Maintain ongoing operation of the equipment and systems.
• Manage hardware configuration and pedigree throughout build and test phases.
• Validate assembly or operations safety procedures with safety personnel.
• Coach and mentor junior manufacturing engineers and technicians.

Skills

DFM/DFX input

GD&T

Root cause analysis

CAD - Siemens NX

Quality control

Manufacturing planning

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Scheduling software

MS Excel/Office

ERP systems

Job description

Optical Manufacturing Engineer

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.

Join our team as a Optics Manufacturing Engineer, where you'll optimize production of optical assemblies, vessels, diagnostics, and potentially lenses and mirrors, for quality and throughput. Your role will involve translating engineering designs into fully operational hardware, optimizing existing production lines, and ensuring top-notch quality standards. You will do this primarily through work instruction authoring, manufacturing training development and coaching, as well as through hands on assistance and hands on build. You will also drive continuous improvement of quality and throughput, driving and executing needed manufacturing and product changes. You will also serve as the first point of contact for the production teams when they escalation a technical issues. Embrace the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology aimed at revolutionizing energy production. We are looking for our engineers to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy.

Responsibilities

• Provide DFM/A (design for manufacturing/assembly) input to the product design team to eliminate or simplify processes and tooling.
• Translate engineering intent, drawings, and configurations into fully functional hardware ready for test, qualification, and use.
• You will create, interpret, and modify work instructions and routings to convey procedures to technicians and trigger material planning, and fabrication processes.
• Driving continuous improvement of manufacturing process, you will also identify, develop, and deploy methods to improve quality, reduce cost, and optimize build sequences and schedules.
• Provide oversight and hands-on assistance during assembly by interdisciplinary technicians.
• Define and support repair and rework procedures as needed.
• Disposition NCRs where delegated by the Responsible Engineer.
• Handle procurement activities for hardware, tools, and facility equipment.
• Maintain ongoing operation of the equipment and systems.
• Manage hardware configuration and maintain pedigree throughout the build and test phases.
• Validate assembly or operations safety procedures with the assistance of interdisciplinary engineers and safety personnel (HV, Oil Handling, Radiation Safety, etc).
• Coach and mentor more junior manufacturing engineers and technicians.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Aerospace Engineering or work equivalent.
• Possess 8+ years of direct manufacturing and manufacturing engineering experience within an R&D environment.
• Develop clear manufacturing work instructions covering fabrication (additive, subtractive and material joining), assembly, testing, and integration processes.
• Demonstrate strong management skills in quality control, build sequence optimization, and schedule adherence throughout manufacturing.
• Conduct engineering drawing reviews and provide final approval for manufacturing.
• Proficient in root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions for non-conformances.
• Possess a solid understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing principles, including GD&T.
• Proficient in various software tools including CAD (Siemens NX), scheduling software, issue tracking systems, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Adept at learning new software and tools.
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of supporting manufacturing floor activities, climbing stairs, working in confined spaces, and lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs.
• Individual must possess a high level of dexterity to manipulate optics and execute configuration changes without incident.
• 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.

$140,000 - $175,000 a year

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 coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Basic life insurance
• 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 participation
• Flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach
• Paid sick time
• 13 company-paid holidays
• Annual paid company shutdown

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.