Prototype Engineer – Laser & Optics Systems

focused; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical coverage

Unlimited PTO

401k match

Equipment provided

Team events

Job summary

Focused Energy is seeking a Prototype Engineer to join the Target Tracking & Engagement lab in Austin. You will help integrate and test hardware supporting laser-driven fusion, translating test plans into successful experiments.

You'll gain experience with sensitive optics, laser systems, and advanced hardware while collaborating with scientists and engineers to keep experiments moving forward.

Qualifications

• A degree and/or hands-on technical background in engineering, physics, optics, or a related field.
• Interest in experimental hardware, test and integration, and hands-on engineering.
• Familiarity with optics, laser alignment, test equipment, or hardware diagnostics.

Responsibilities

• Execute integration and qualification tests according to approved test plans and procedures.
• Maintain and prepare test rigs, lab hardware, software, and configurations for campaigns.
• Perform precision alignment and safe operation of optics and laser systems.
• Support build, teardown, troubleshooting, and upgrades of test rigs with senior engineers.
• Collaborate with scientists to translate test procedures into executable sequences.
• Document results and observations to aid rapid diagnosis by the team.
• Provide hands-on technical support across the engineering team as needed.
• Follow safety practices and flag hazards or gaps proactively.

Skills

Engineering background

Optics

Hands-on

Laser alignment

Diagnostics

Safety mindset

Communication

Education

Engineering/Physics degree

Tools

Test rigs

Job description

Focused Energy is seeking a Prototype Engineer to join the Target Tracking & Engagement lab in Austin. You will help integrate and test hardware supporting laser-driven fusion, translating test plans into successful experiments.

You'll gain experience with sensitive optics, laser systems, and advanced hardware while collaborating with scientists and engineers to keep experiments moving forward.