Light Delivery Lead

About the role

The Light Delivery Lead will spearhead the development of beam transport and final focusing technology for inertial confinement fusion. This leadership role involves defining technical requirements, establishing R&D roadmaps, and balancing complex engineering constraints to deliver laser light to the target. You will guide technical teams through early-stage development, making strategic decisions on technology sourcing and system architecture.

Responsibilities

• Own the technology development for beam transport and the final focusing assembly, working with systems engineering on requirements and interfaces.
• Develop and compare concepts for transporting and focusing high-energy laser beams, including maintaining wavefront quality across large optics and addressing radiation exposure at the final optic.
• Turn open technical questions into a structured R&D programme: test competing concepts, gather evidence quickly and retire options that do not meet the requirements.
• Establish a baseline concept that enables wider system and facility planning, including the space needed for the final focusing assembly.
• Build a multi-year technology roadmap, balancing new development with available technology and planning the resources needed to deliver it.
• Lead technical specialists, set direction and responsibilities, and build the foundation for the team as the work develops.
• Decide whether beam transport should be developed internally or sourced externally.
• Communicate risks, decisions and progress clearly to cross-functional colleagues and executive leadership.

Required skills

• Laser
• High-energy laser systems
• Large-optic technologies
• First-principles reasoning
• Technical leadership

Benefits

• Stock options
• 30 days of vacation
• Healthy snacks and drinks
• Canteen lunch options
• Retirement plan
• State-of-the-art laptop
• Commuting support
• Fitness and wellness services

About the Company

Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion. Based in Germany and the US, the company is scaling rapidly to unlock fusion power at commercial scale using proven technologies.