Senior Laser Engineer

Focused; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401k plan

Medical, Dental, Vision

Unlimited PTO

Equipment: Laptop

Office snacks

Team events

Career development

Job summary

Focused Energy's Austin laser team is building and commissioning a kJ-class laser system. We are seeking a Senior Laser Engineer to be the technical anchor for laser setup and alignment in Austin.

This person will turn beam path plans into commissioned, operating systems. You will own laser alignment and optomechanical layout end‑to‑end for a critical program, and will progressively take ownership of the optical side of the standard laser diagnostic package and alignment automation as the

Qualifications

• Deep, hands-on experience with high-power laser systems and optical integration.
• Ability to translate beam path plans into optomechanical layouts and BOMs.
• Familiarity with laser diagnostics, alignment, and wavefront characterization.
• Comfort working independently on layout and component selection; escalation only for architecture decisions.
• Knowledge of laser safety standards (ANSI Z136 / Class 4).
• Experience with pulsed laser systems (CPA or Q-switched) is a plus.
• Experience coordinating with controls engineering on interfaces.
• Track record as a hands-on technical resource for laser alignment and optics.

Responsibilities

• Own laser setup, alignment, and beam path implementation from layout to commissioning.
• Translate beam path designs into optomechanical layouts and BOMs in collaboration with leadership.
• Drive beam-smoothing designs and component procurement with team and vendors.
• Own the optical side of the laser diagnostic package, including calibration and maintenance.
• Build the optical alignment automation interface with Controls Engineering.
• Ensure cleanroom protocols during optical handling and installation.
• Coordinate with Controls Engineering on diagnostic architecture and interfaces.
• Provide hands-on optical support for experimental campaigns.

Skills

High-power laser systems

Optomechanical layouts

Laser diagnostics

Wavefront characterization

Cleanroom handling

Laser safety

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Beam smoothing

Entrepreneurial mindset

Mission-driven

Pulsed laser systems experience

Laser alignment automation

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion. Backed by our $240M Series A — the largest fully secured Series A in the global fusion industry — we are scaling rapidly across multiple geographies.

Based in Germany and the US, we have brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to realize game-changing scientific innovation that promises to deliver a clean, sustainable and abundant source of power globally.

Your Role

Focused Energy's Austin laser team is building and commissioning a kJ-class laser system. We are seeking a Senior Laser Engineer to be the technical anchor for laser setup and alignment in Austin. This person will turn beam path plans into commissioned, operating systems. You will own laser alignment and optomechanical layout end‑to‑end for a critical program, and will progressively take ownership of the optical side of the standard laser diagnostic package and alignment automation as the program matures. This is a hands‑on, on‑site role at the center of a cutting‑edge laser facility, working alongside senior laser scientists and engineers.

What You'll Do

• Own laser setup, alignment, and beam path implementation, from initial layout through commissioning and handoff to operations.

• Lead translation of beam path designs into physical optomechanical layouts, producing complete and accurate BOMs in close collaboration with Laser team leadership.

• Drive beam‑smoothing beam path design and component procurement, with laser team members and external vendors.

• Own the optical side of the standard laser diagnostic package, including integration, calibration, and ongoing maintenance.

• Build and implement the optical alignment automation interface, in close coordination with Controls Engineering.

• Ensure cleanroom protocols are followed during optical handling and installation; coordinate cleanroom upgrade activities as required.

• Partner with Controls Engineering on the laser diagnostic and alignment automation architecture, providing optical requirements and interface definitions.

• Enable FM/AM and beam‑smoothing experiments by providing hands‑on optical support during experimental campaigns.

Who You Are

Must-haves

• Deep, hands‑on experience with high‑power laser systems, precision beam alignment, and optical system integration.

• Demonstrated ability to translate beam path plans into physical optomechanical layouts and produce complete, procurable BOMs.

• Working knowledge of standard laser diagnostic instrumentation, alignment and wavefront characterization, and cleanroom handling procedures for high‑damage‑threshold optics.

• Comfort operating independently on optical layout, alignment approach, and component selection, escalating only on system‑architecture or facility‑level trade‑offs.

• Familiarity with laser safety standards and protocols (ANSI Z136 / Class 4).

Nice‑to‑haves

• Experience with pulsed laser systems (CPA or Q‑switched); petawatt‑class, kJ‑class, or equivalent high‑power facility experience is a significant advantage.

• Optomechanical CAD experience.

• Prior work coordinating with Controls Engineering on diagnostic or alignment automation interfaces.

• A track record as the go‑to technical resource for laser alignment and optical systems — mentoring through hands‑on example rather than formal authority.

• Experience supporting beam‑smoothing or amplifier characterization efforts.

• Entrepreneurial mindset: thrives in a startup environment; self‑directed and energized by building laser engineering capability from the ground up.

• Mission‑driven: genuinely motivated by the prospect of making fusion energy commercially real.

What We Offer

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting‑edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.

• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you'll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.

• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top‑tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.

• Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.

• Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.

• Medical, Dental, Vision: Multiple great plans to pick from that are active come the 1st Day of employment for you and any enrolled dependents.

• Vacation Days: We support your work‑life‑balance by granting you Unlimited PTO.

• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks.

• Retirement Plan: If you decide to enroll in our 401k plan, we will match up to 4% on top of the employee contribution.

• Equipment: We offer state‑of‑the‑art Windows or Apple Laptops. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.

• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.