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Xcimer Energy · 1 month ago

Principal Target Design Physicist

Denver, CO

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff

$200K/yr - $250K/yr

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. As a Target Design Physicist, you will lead modeling efforts, mentor new team members, and ensure user requirements are met during code maturation.

EnergyEnergy EfficiencyEnergy Management

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Run and maintain Xcimer’s in-house Helios capsule modeling workflows to support design and optimization across multiple target shooting facilities

Develop and maintain FLASH-based planar LPI modeling capability, ensuring beam profiles, target conditions, and pulse shapes are consistent with experimental objectives

Document target physics requirements, beam specifications, and pulse constraints needed to execute LPI experiments

Perform initial testing, verification, and benchmarking of radiation-hydrodynamics models, including early deck development for ignition-relevant physics regimes

Serve as the first internal user of Xcimer’s radiation-hydrodynamics code by developing initial decks, testing model behavior, and identifying physics gaps, workflow needs, and usability issues

Coordinate modeling inputs, design reviews, and technical recommendations with Xcimer consultants and national laboratory partners

Ensure consistency between in-house modeling outputs and external physics guidance from collaborators

Provide modeling support for target fabrication, beam delivery, and chamber teams as required

Mentor interns, junior physicists, and new employees in ICF physics, capsule design fundamentals, and the use of modeling toolchains

Develop internal training material to broaden team understanding of ignition physics, LPI, and radiation-hydrodynamic modeling

Qualification

Ph.D. in PhysicsRadiation hydrodynamic modelingInertial confinement fusion physicsSimulation deck generationHED facility experienceModeling coordinationExperimental design supportUser-focused feedbackCommunication skills

Required

Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field with emphasis in ICF or HED science

Experience with radiation hydrodynamic modeling tools

Working knowledge of inertial confinement fusion physics, including capsule implosion dynamics, LPI, and target-material response

Experience generating, debugging, and verifying simulation decks for HED or ICF applications

Strong communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical results for partners and internal teams

Demonstrated experience designing experiments on major HED facilities (OMEGA, NIF, or equivalent)

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 of granted asylum

Preferred

Experience coordinating modeling activities with national labs, universities, or external consultants

Experience developing, verifying, or benchmarking simulation decks for radiation-hydrodynamics codes, particularly as an early or first user of new modeling tools

Familiarity with providing user-focused feedback to code-development teams and translating physics and user needs into actionable modeling requirements

Familiarity with target fabrication constraints, beam smoothing, and chamber-interface physics

Experience supporting experimental design from a modeling standpoint