Xcimer Energy · 1 month ago
Systems Engineer (Optical Systems)
Denver, CO
Part-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$140K/yr - $165K/yr
5+ years expXcimer Energy is focused on deploying fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals. The Optical Systems Engineer will be responsible for defining, allocating, and validating optical requirements to enable fusion ignition, while collaborating across teams to ensure system performance and compliance.
EnergyEnergy EfficiencyEnergy Management
Responsibilities
Translate fusion performance goals into optical system-level requirements (wavefront error, pointing jitter, fluence, scatter, throughput)
Derive, allocate, and manage requirements from system to subsystem to component level, ensuring traceability and compliance
Collaborate with program and systems engineering teams to maintain requirement documentation and verification matrices
Develop and maintain end-to-end optical error budgets for jitter, pointing stability, wavefront distortion, transmission losses, and energy roll-up
Allocate tolerances top-down and bottom-up across optical and opto-mechanical mechanical subsystems
Track measured as-built parameters and update budgets based on test data, environmental effects, or component degradation (e.g., contamination, laser damage)
Lead trade studies to reconcile competing subsystem tolerances, negotiating performance trade-offs with cross-functional teams
Define verification strategies and test plans that map directly to requirements and budget allocations
Integrate metrology and diagnostics data (interferometry, wavefront sensing, beam profiling) into performance budgets
Perform tolerance analyses, sensitivity studies, and Monte Carlo simulations to quantify system margins and risks
Support integration campaigns by defining acceptance criteria and analyzing test results to confirm compliance
Partner with mechanical engineers on opto-mechanical stability and alignment tolerances
Collaborate with electrical and controls engineers to integrate active alignment systems, diagnostics, and sensors
Work with physicists and plasma scientists to connect optical performance with fusion target and chamber requirements
Define and manage technical interfaces across optics, mounts, electronics, and target systems
Serve as the technical lead for optical requirements and budgets, accountable for compliance across the laser system
Mentor junior optical and systems engineers in requirements management, error budgeting, and systems engineering rigor
Produce and maintain technical documentation: requirements specifications, performance budgets, verification reports, and test acceptance criteria
Present progress, risks, and trade studies at program reviews, communicating effectively with both technical experts and project stakeholders
Qualification
Required
Education: B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related field
Experience: 5+ years of experience in optical systems engineering and/or Optical Engineering, preferably with high-energy lasers, semiconductor lithography, directed energy, or other high-precision optical systems
5+ years experience using optical design software platforms such as Zemax, Code V, or FRED
Demonstrated expertise in developing and managing complex optical error budgets
Hands-on experience with requirements flow-down, allocation, and verification in a multidisciplinary system
Experience working in R&D environments and transitioning designs toward manufacturable systems
Experience with requirements management tools
Strong background in optical metrology (interferometry, wavefront sensing, beam profiling)
Proficiency with simulation and analysis tools (MATLAB, Python, Zemax/Code V)
Strong cross-disciplinary collaboration skills across optics, mechanics, electronics, and controls
Ability to lead technical discussions, influence decisions, and mentor less-experienced engineers
Excellent organizational and communication skills for managing complex requirements and budgets
Preferred
Prior experience with fusion-class laser systems or large-scale optical integration projects
Background in Design for Manufacturability/Reliability (DFM/DFR) for optical hardware
Experience with adaptive optics, wavefront correction, and active stabilization architectures
Familiarity with IV&V processes (Integration, Verification & Validation) and test acceptance workflows
Experience leading supplier engagement for custom optical components or subsystems
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
Basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave (must be employed at time of birth or adoption)
Short and long-term disability
401(k) with a company match of up to 6%
Paid Time Off: 15 days per year based on weekly scheduled hours
10 paid sick leave
13 company-paid holidays for all regular employees (including part-time), fixed-term, and interns
Equity will be granted to eligible employees
Company
Xcimer Energy
Xcimer Energy is an inertial fusion company offering laser-driven fusion to provide cheap, abundant, and carbon-free energy.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$117.75MKey Investors
HedosophiaUS Department of Energy
2024-06-04Series A· $100M
2023-12-07Grant
2023-05-31Grant· $9M
Leadership Team
Ben Wheeler
Co-Founder, VP of Strategy
Alexander Valys
President & CTO
Recent News
Inside HPC & AI News | High-Performance Computing & Artificial Intelligence
2025-09-17
Company data provided by crunchbase