Program Element Lead - Site and Structures

Fusion Energy Base; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Flexible Paid Time Off

Job summary

Fusion Energy Base in Denver, CO, is seeking a Program Element Lead for Site and Structures. In this full-time, onsite role, you will oversee the development of facilities for the Vulcan laser system and the Athena pilot plant, ensuring compliance with regulations and budget management.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years of relevant experience, with a bachelor's degree in engineering or construction management. The role offers a competitive salary range of $200,000 - $240,000 annually along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in managing facility development projects.
• Experience with capital projects valued at $300M+.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of facilities and site infrastructure.
• Manage project schedules and budgets effectively.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

Managing complex facility development

Project budgeting and cost control

Leadership and stakeholder communication

Contractor management

Risk assessment and mitigation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management

Job description

Program Element Lead – Site and Structures

Denver, CO – Full Time, On Site

Overview

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.

This full‑time, onsite role is based at our headquarters in Denver, CO. As a Program Element Lead for Site and Structures, you will lead end‑to‑end development and delivery of facilities and site infrastructure for the Vulcan laser system and Xcimer’s fusion energy pilot plant, Athena.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end development and delivery of facilities and site infrastructure, including planning, design, procurement strategy, construction oversight, commissioning, and transition to operations.
• Accountable for the integrated schedule for facility and site infrastructure delivery, ensuring alignment across engineering design, permitting, procurement, and construction sequencing.
• Own the facility and site infrastructure project budget, including budget development, forecasting, and adherence to approved funding.
• Lead RFP development, evaluation, selection, and management of A/E firms, construction managers, EPC contractors, and other major facility vendors.
• Provide leadership and clear direction across multiple disciplines of engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and project personnel.
• Establish priorities, resolve conflicts, and hold individuals accountable for delivering against agreed cost and schedule targets.
• Maintain updated cost and schedule forecasts from A/E firms, EPC contractors, and other contractors to support program reporting and planning.
• Define facility development strategy, contracting approach, and capital phasing aligned to program milestones.
• Identify project risks early and lead mitigation planning to minimize schedule and cost impacts.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, environmental regulations, safety standards, and internal governance processes.
• Drive permitting strategy and utility coordination (power, water, HVAC, specialized infrastructure) to secure required approvals and capacity.
• Drive site readiness and facility integration efforts to ensure smooth transition from construction to operational use.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience managing complex facility development, capital construction, or infrastructure projects in energy, aerospace, semiconductor, or similar technical environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing large capital projects ($300M+) from concept through commissioning.
• Experience acting as the owner’s representative managing A/E, EPC, or major construction contractors on complex capital projects.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, contractor management, and cost control practices.
• Experience defining and executing large‑scale capital delivery strategies, including contract structuring, risk allocation, and contractor oversight for complex infrastructure projects.
• Ability to manage budgets, forecasts, and change control processes in partnership with Finance and Program Planning & Controls teams.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing high‑consequence or safety‑critical construction environments.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a matrix organization, driving execution, prioritization, and individual accountability without direct line authority.
• 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

• Delivering projects in regulated environments involving environmental review, utility interconnection, or nuclear‑adjacent licensing.
• Coordinating large utility loads (power, cooling water, gas systems) and site infrastructure upgrades.
• Integrating specialized technical systems (high‑voltage, vacuum, radiation‑shielded, or process‑intensive systems) into large facility builds.

Salary

$200,000 - $240,000 a year (range 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 workforce. Xcimer hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, and we provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Xcimer will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Short‑term and long‑term disability
• Paid parental leave for employees at birth or adoption
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%
• Equity opportunities for eligible employees
• Flexible Paid Time Off (Adaptive Time Off) approach
• Paid sick time, 13 company‑paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown
• Benefits available to regular employees, including part‑time and fixed‑term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit
• Use of artificial intelligence tools to support parts of the hiring process; final hiring decisions are made by humans.

Contact

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.