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Focused Energy · 1 day ago

Optical Simulation Scientist

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup aiming to generate unlimited clean energy. They are seeking a highly skilled Optical Simulation Engineer to develop advanced computational tools for modeling the behavior of high-energy laser systems, which will inform system architecture and design for fusion laser drivers.

Clean EnergyEnergyRenewable Energy

Responsibilities

Design, build, and validate integrated optical and multiphysics simulation frameworks that couple laser amplification, optical propagation, thermal, mechanical, and fluid effects into predictive system models

Model complex amplifier architectures, gain media, pump geometries, and thermal management schemes to predict efficiency, beam quality, optical distortions, and stability under high-average-power operation

Develop and maintain the simulation backbone of Focused Energy’s digital twin environment, enabling system-level optimization, trade studies, and performance forecasting

Integrate experimental data with simulation outputs, perform sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, and continuously refine models to improve predictive accuracy and decision confidence

Partner closely with optical engineers, laser physicists, and experimental teams to ensure alignment between models, prototypes, and performance targets — and to guide design iteration

Implement surrogate models, reduced-order techniques, and optimization workflows to accelerate simulations and support large-scale design space exploration

Produce high-quality technical documentation, model descriptions, and internal tools that are usable, maintainable, and trusted across the organization

Qualification

Optical SimulationMultiphysics SimulationProgramming PythonProgramming MATLABDigital Twin ModelsLaser System ModelingModel ValidationUncertainty AnalysisOptimization WorkflowsHPC EnvironmentsParallel ComputingLaser Systems ExposureTechnical DocumentationCross-Functional Collaboration

Required

Master's or Ph.D. in optics, computational physics, applied mathematics, or a related field — or equivalent experience building physics-based simulation tools in complex R&D environments

Deep understanding of laser and optical systems, including propagation, polarization, scattering, spectral effects, and their interaction with thermal and mechanical phenomena

Proven experience developing multiphysics or digital twin models for complex physical systems and using them to drive engineering or scientific decisions

Proficiency with multiphysics and optical tools (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS, Zemax, FRED, CodeV) and strong programming skills (Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar) with version control (Git)

You approach modeling as a scientific discipline — validating assumptions, quantifying uncertainty, and continuously improving fidelity and usefulness

Comfortable working across disciplines and translating complex simulation results into actionable insights for experimental and design teams