Senior Laser-Plasma Diagnostics Lead

Socket.dev; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Focused Energy in the United States is seeking a Senior Laser-Plasma Diagnostic Specialist to lead the development, integration, and deployment of advanced diagnostics for inertial fusion energy experiments.

You will guide diagnostic strategy across optical, X-ray, charged-particle, and nuclear measurements, coordinating engineers and scientists to advance high-energy-density physics in a rapidly scaling program.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma Physics, Optical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience developing or leading diagnostics for laser-plasma, high-energy-density physics, or inertial confinement fusion experiments
• Demonstrated expertise in diagnostic design, development, integration, and operation
• Experience leading diagnostic development from concept through deployment and experimental operation
• Experience with experimental data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent software

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, integration, and commissioning of advanced diagnostics for high-energy-density physics and inertial fusion energy experiments.
• Define and maintain long-term diagnostic strategy and roadmap for current and future facilities.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary development efforts across optics, mechanics, electronics, controls, software, and data acquisition.
• Provide technical oversight during diagnostic integration, alignment, calibration, commissioning, and operation.
• Analyze experimental results and guide continuous improvement of diagnostic performance and capabilities.
• Mentor junior scientists and engineers and promote technical excellence across the program.
• Build collaborations with universities, national laboratories, and industrial partners.
• Contribute to strategic planning, proposals, publications, and presentations.

Skills

Laser-plasma diagnostics

Diagnostics leadership

Experimental physics

Laser-plasma interactions

Technical leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Physics/Plasma/Nuclear/Optical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Focused Energy in the United States is seeking a Senior Laser-Plasma Diagnostic Specialist to lead the development, integration, and deployment of advanced diagnostics for inertial fusion energy experiments.

You will guide diagnostic strategy across optical, X-ray, charged-particle, and nuclear measurements, coordinating engineers and scientists to advance high-energy-density physics in a rapidly scaling program.