Senior Pulsed Power Physicist

U.S. Fusion Energy; Illinois; On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Equity

Job summary

Xcimer Energy, based in Denver, CO, is seeking a Senior Pulsed Power Physicist to advance electron‑beam cathode systems for inertial fusion energy. You will lead design, fabrication, and testing across emitter technologies, optimize beam transport, and drive experimental campaigns from concept through commissioning.

The role combines theory and hands‑on work in a small team, with emphasis on modeling, validation, and thorough documentation. U.S. citizenship or equivalent is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or closely related field.
• 5+ years of industry experience.
• Deep expertise in beam diagnostics and vacuum electronics.
• Hands‑on experience with high-voltage pulsed power systems (100 kV+) and lab instrumentation.
• Ability to design experiments, interpret results, and document findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Optimize beam efficiency and energy deposition on target.
• Lead design, fabrication, and testing of cathode systems across multiple emitter technologies.
• Design and optimize hibachi foil/anode grid structures for beam transport efficiency.
• Lead experimental campaigns end-to-end.
• Develop and validate cathode and beam transport models (analytical, PIC, SPICE).
• Operate and maintain UHV vacuum systems (target < 10^-9 Torr).
• Own experimental program documentation: test reports, design records, procedures, data.
• Manage hardware procurement, BOM tracking, and vendor relationships for cathode subsystems.
• Interface with suppliers on procurement, packaging, and quality.
• Support integration of cathode systems into larger diode and laser architectures.

Skills

Beam diagnostics

Vacuum electronics

Pulsed power systems

Experiment design

High voltage 100 kV+

Lab instrumentation

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or closely related field

MS with exceptional relevant experience

Tools

PIC/beam simulation codes (Chicago, CST, COMSOL)

SMUs

Oscilloscopes

HV power supplies

Job description

Denver, CO

Engineering – Pulsed Power Engineering /

Full-Time /

On-site

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!

Senior Pulsed Power Physicist

As a Senior Pulsed Power Physicist, you will work on the science and engineering of electron‑beam cathode systems for Xcimer's pulsed power driven inertial fusion energy program. The core goal is maximizing beam efficiency and energy deposition on target. You will lead cathode development across multiple emitter technologies , design and optimize hibachi foil/anode structures for beam transport, and build complex experimental systems from concept through commissioning. This role carries significant independent scientific responsibility. We want someone who is strong in both theory and experiment and rigorous about documentation.

Responsibilities

• Optimize beam efficiency and energy deposition on target
• Lead design, fabrication, and testing of cathode systems across multiple emitter technologies (explosive emission, thermionic, photocathodes)
• Design and optimize hibachi foil/anode grid structures for beam transport efficiency
• Lead experimental campaigns end-to-end
• Develop and validate cathode and beam transport models (analytical, PIC, SPICE) to guide design decisions; roughly equal balance of modeling and experimental work
• Operate and maintain UHV vacuum systems (target < 10^-9 Torr) including bakeout, leak checking, and pumping systems
• Survey prior art on emitter technologies, beam transport, and cathode physics
• Own experimental program documentation: test reports, design records, operating procedures, and data management
• Manage hardware procurement, BOM tracking, and vendor relationships for cathode subsystems
• Interface with potential commercial emitter suppliers on procurement, packaging, and quality
• Support integration of cathode systems into larger diode and laser architectures

Qualifications

• Education: PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or closely related field (MS with exceptional relevant experience considered)
• Experience: 5+ years of industry experience
• Deep expertise in beam diagnostics (Faraday cups, beam imaging, energy analysis, calorimetry)
• Hands‑on experience with vacuum electronics and electron‑beam generation
• Able to independently design experiments, interpret results, and write up findings clearly
• Experience building and commissioning complex experimental systems end-to-end (mechanical, electrical, vacuum, controls)
• Familiarity with high‑voltage pulsed power systems (100 kV+)
• Proficiency with lab instrumentation (SMUs, oscilloscopes, HV power supplies)
• Comfortable working across mechanical, electrical, and physics domains in a small team
• 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

• Direct experience with explosive emission, or cold cathode technologies
• Familiarity with semiconductor fabrication processes
• Experience with PIC or beam optics simulation codes (e.g., Chicago, CST, COMSOL)
• Background in beam transport optimization
• Track record of thorough technical documentation and hardware program management (procurement, scheduling, vendor coordination)
• Background in excimer laser or inertial fusion energy systems

$170,000 - $200,000 a year

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.

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

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include 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; and 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.

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.