Principal Experimental Physicist (Vulcan Program) at XCimer Energy – Denver, Colorado

Principal Experimental Physicist (Vulcan Program)

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supportedby leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change.Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion! As an Experimental Physicist, you will lead the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments central to Xcimers Vulcan fusion program which aims to demonstrate wall plug breakeven. This individual will translate the physics basis and risk retirement plan into executable experiments, own diagnostic requirements, and develop Vulcan test plans that validate facility and subsystem readiness for ignition physics.
As the first experimentalist in the program, this role bridges physics, engineering, and systems integration. This physicist will ensure that Vulcans design, diagnostics, and experimental capabilities align directly with the needs of the Fusion Pilot Plant physics basis. We are looking for our scientists to apply their leadership, technical expertise, curiosity, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy! Success in This Role Looks Like

• Physics-based, data-driven path to risk retirement established for all critical Vulcan physics risks.
• Diagnostic and facility requirements fully traceable to physics needs.
• Measurable experimental validation milestones integrated into the FPP roadmap.
• External collaborations leveraged strategically, with internal capability and ownership growing over time.

Responsibilities

• Experimental Execution & Test Plan Development
• Develop Vulcan test plans, defining the sequence of experiments required to validate subsystems, diagnostics, and integrated facility performance
• Translate program-level physics risks into measurable experimental objectives and milestones
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments that provide data to retire specific risks identified in the physics basis (e.g., symmetry control, LPI mitigation, target survivability, hohlraum performance, etc).
• Ensure experimental validation criteria are quantitative, data driven, and aligned with modeling results
• Partner with theory and modeling teams to close the loop between simulation predictions and experimental validation.
• Diagnostics & Measurement Systems
• Write diagnostic requirements for Vulcan and precursor experiments.
• Work with systems engineers to define line-of-sight, resolution, and temporal accuracy requirements consistent with physics metrics.
• Coordinate with optical, target, and chamber teams to ensure diagnostic integration early in the facility design process.
• Facility & Program Integration
• Represent the experimental physics perspective in Vulcan facility planning, ensuring experimental capability maps onto the physics roadmap.
• Interface with the Vulcan systems team, target factory, and injector groups to ensure data acquisition, repetition rate, and diagnostic access align with experimental needs.
• Partner with target fab, chamber, and laser teams to ensure subsystem interfaces and tolerances meet experimental requirements.
• Leadership & Collaboration
• Build experimental partnerships with national labs and universities; serve as technical lead for collaborative shots and campaigns.
• Mentor future hires in diagnostics, data systems, and experimental design.
• Contribute to publications and presentations that establish Xcimer as a leader in inertial fusion experimentation.

Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in Physics, or a related field, with specialization in inertial confinement fusion, HED physics, or laser-plasma interactions.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing experiments on major HED facilities (OMEGA, NIF, or equivalent).
• Expertise in one or more diagnostic domains: x-ray imaging, neutron time-of-flight, charged particle spectrometry, VISAR, or optical backscatter.
• Proven ability to define quantitative experimental success metrics and extract them from data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to synthesize results for executives, engineers, and external partners.
• 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.

Desired

• Experience leading multi-institutional experimental campaigns or managing external collaborators.
• Familiarity with target fabrication, layering, and injection constraints.
• Experience with system design trades between physics goals, diagnostics, and facility operations.
• Understanding of ignition metrics and performance scaling
• Prior participation in conceptual design reviews or DOE-style pre-conceptual design efforts.

Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.Equal Employment OpportunityXcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on EEO Is the Law, please see here and here. BenefitsXcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the companys long-term success.Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.
$200,000 - $250,000 a year