Program Element Lead - Fusion Systems

Xcimer Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match 6%

Equity

Paid parental leave

13 holidays

Annual company shutdown

Job summary

Xcimer Energy, based in Denver, CO, is seeking a senior Program Manager to lead a billion-dollar fusion power program. You will direct multi-disciplinary teams across engineering, science, and operations, ensuring technical integrity and timely delivery of plant systems.

Qualified candidates bring 10+ years in nuclear/engineering programs, strong leadership, and proven ability to move TRLs from concept to prototype while aligning with safety and regulatory requirements. U.S.

Qualifications

• BS in physics, nuclear, mechanical, electrical engineering or related field
• 10+ years leading large, complex programs in nuclear/engineering environments
• Proven track record guiding large teams through all delivery phases
• Experience maturing TRLs from concept to prototype
• Familiarity with power extraction systems in plant engineering
• Familiarity with nuclear safety design and construction frameworks
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• US citizen or national, permanent resident, or eligible to work in the US

Responsibilities

• Oversee design, planning, and execution of a large-scale program
• Provide day-to-day leadership to engineering, science, and operations teams
• Lead fusion system architecture from concept to plant integration
• Direct procurement and vendor management for long-lead components
• Manage transition from conceptual design to fabrication and commissioning
• Partner with safety, licensing, and regulatory teams for compliance
• Manage budgets, resources, schedules, and risk
• Collaborate with senior leadership on status, risks, and opportunities

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Communication

TRL maturation

Nuclear/Engineering

Education

BS in physics/engineering

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and accountable for the design, planning, and execution strategy of a large-scale, hundred million to billion-dollar class program, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
• Provide day-to-day leadership to matrixed engineering, science, and operations teams, maintaining technical integrity and quality standards
• Lead fusion system architecture, including the chamber, blanket, and supporting systems from conceptualization and requirement definition to delivery and plant integration
• Direct procurement activities and vendor management for long-lead, critical-path fusion system components
• Manage the transition from conceptual design to detailed design, fabrication, construction, assembly, and commissioning
• Partner with safety, licensing, and regulatory teams to ensure compliance with applicable nuclear, environmental, and industrial safety frameworks
• Manage project budgets, resource allocation, and schedules, implementing proactive risk mitigation and reporting on performance metrics
• Collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders, communicating program status, risks, and opportunities for continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Education: BS in physics, nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or related technical field
• Experience: 10+ years leading large, complex programs (billion-dollar scale preferred) within a nuclear and engineering-intensive environment (nuclear energy, fusion facilities, particle accelerators, space and defense, etc.)
• Proven track record of guiding large-scale technical teams through all phases of technical program delivery
• Experience maturing TRLs from concept through prototype
• Familiarity with power extraction systems in the context of power plant engineering and design
• Familiarity with safety basis development and nuclear safety design and construction frameworks
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated proficiency in one or more core engineering disciplines, such as Nuclear, Aerospace, Power or Mechanical
• 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

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant engineering field
• Experience with design and construction of one of a kind prototype systems in a nuclear environment
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks for high-value engineering projects and with NRC regulations

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
• 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
• paid sick time
• 13 company-paid holidays
• annual paid company shutdown

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.

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.