Sr. Laser Plasma Diagnostic Specialist

Focused; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Focused Energy in Austin is seeking a Senior Laser-Plasma Diagnostic Specialist to lead the development and deployment of advanced diagnostics for inertial fusion energy experiments. You will work with physicists and engineers to define diagnostic strategy and enable measurement of laser-plasma interactions and target performance.

The role requires a PhD and 10+ years in laser-plasma diagnostics, with experience across optical, X-ray, charged-particle, or nuclear diagnostics.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Plasma Physics, Optical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years leading laser-plasma diagnostics programs.
• Expertise in optical, X-ray, charged-particle, or nuclear diagnostics.
• Experience with Python or MATLAB for data analysis.
• Strong leadership and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, integration, and commissioning of advanced diagnostics for high-energy experiments.
• Define long-term diagnostic strategy and roadmap for facilities.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary development with physics, engineering, controls, and software teams.
• Mentor junior scientists and engineers and publish results.
• Collaborate with universities and national labs to advance diagnostics capabilities.

Skills

Laser-plasma diagnostics

Technical leadership

Python programming

MATLAB programming

Education

PhD in Physics / Plasma / Optical / Nuclear Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is an international deep-tech company based in Germany and the US, working to commercialize laser-driven nuclear fusion. Our mission is to provide clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy to the world. We are rapidly scaling and looking for talented individuals who thrive in building clarity and structure within fast-growing environments.

About Your Role

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Senior Laser-Plasma Diagnostic Specialist to join our Experimental Physics team. This role is central to advancing Focused Energy's mission to realize commercial laser-driven fusion power. You will provide technical leadership in the development, integration, and deployment of advanced diagnostics for inertial fusion energy (IFE) experiments, enabling the characterization of laser-plasma interactions, target performance, and fusion-relevant physics.

Working alongside physicists, optical, mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineers, you will define and execute the diagnostic strategy for current and future experimental facilities. You will lead the development of state-of-the-art diagnostic systems spanning optical, X-ray, charged-particle, and nuclear measurements while coordinating multidisciplinary engineering efforts and collaborating with leading universities and national laboratories.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the diagnostic capabilities of one of the world's most ambitious fusion programs, working at the forefront of experimental plasma physics, high-energy laser science, and inertial fusion energy.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, development, integration, and commissioning of advanced diagnostics for high-energy-density physics and inertial fusion energy experiments.

• Define and maintain the long-term diagnostic strategy and roadmap supporting current and future experimental facilities.

• Lead the technical development of diagnostic systems throughout their lifecycle, from concept and requirements definition through commissioning, operation, and continuous improvement.
  Provide technical leadership across multiple diagnostic domains, including:

  • Optical diagnostics

  • X-ray imaging and spectroscopy

  • Charged-particle diagnostics

  • Neutron and gamma-ray diagnostics

• Define diagnostic requirements for new experimental campaigns and facility upgrades.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary development efforts involving optical, mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and data acquisition engineers.

• Provide technical oversight during diagnostic integration, alignment, calibration, commissioning, and experimental operation.

• Analyze experimental results and guide the continuous improvement of diagnostic performance and measurement capabilities.

• Mentor junior scientists and engineers while promoting technical excellence across the experimental program.

• Build and maintain collaborations with universities, national laboratories, and industrial partners.

• Contribute to strategic planning, technical proposals, scientific publications, and presentations.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated expertise in the design, development, integration, and operation of advanced laser-plasma diagnostics.

• 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 at least one of the following diagnostic areas, with broad knowledge of complementary diagnostic techniques:

  • Optical diagnostics

  • X-ray diagnostics

  • Charged-particle diagnostics

  • Nuclear diagnostics

• Proven experience leading diagnostic development from concept through deployment and experimental operation.

• Strong understanding of laser-plasma interactions, high-energy-density physics, and inertial fusion experiments.

• Experience defining diagnostic architectures and measurement strategies for complex experimental facilities.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams involving physicists and engineering disciplines.

• Experience with experimental data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent scientific software.

• Strong technical leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience at major high-power laser facilities or high-energy-density physics laboratories.

• Experience developing diagnostics for inertial confinement fusion or inertial fusion energy experiments.

• Expertise in detector calibration, characterization, uncertainty analysis, and instrument qualification.

• Experience integrating diagnostics into complex, multidisciplinary experimental facilities.

• Familiarity with radiation environments, detector survivability, and shielding considerations.

• Experience with data acquisition systems, synchronization, timing systems, and scientific imaging.

• Familiarity with CAD software and engineering design processes.

• Experience managing collaborations with universities, national laboratories, and industrial partners.

• Strong publication record in laser-plasma physics, high-energy-density physics, or diagnostic development.

• Demonstrated experience mentoring scientists and engineers and leading technical teams.

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.