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Optical Control Systems Engineer

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. Supported by 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 Optical Control Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in the design, implementation, and validation of precision optical control systems for highenergy laser facilities. You will develop and validate advanced adaptive optics (AO) control algorithms, integrate realtime optical sensing and actuation hardware, and support timeofflight (TOF)–based tracking and synchronization systems for target insertion and lasertarget engagement. This role spans algorithm development, hardware integration, and systemlevel validation in an operational laser environment.

We are seeking an engineer who combines deep optics and controls expertise with handson system integration experience, and who thrives in solving multidisciplinary problems at the limits of precision, timing, and speed.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and tune adaptive optics control algorithms for highenergy laser systems, including wavefront correction, beam pointing, and jitter rejection
Develop control strategies for fast steering mirrors (FSMs) and slow steering mirrors (SSMs), including multiloop, multirate, and hierarchical control architectures
Integrate and commission beam diagnostics and position sensors, such as wavefront sensors, quad cells, high-speed cameras, and wave meters, into realtime closedloop optical control systems
Design, implement, and validate timeofflight (TOF)–based tracking, synchronization, and timing systems for target insertion, engagement timing, and laser coordination
Perform systemlevel modeling and analysis of optical control performance, including latency, bandwidth, stability margins, noise propagation, and timing error budgets
Plan and execute laboratory, subsystem, and insitu commissioning tests to validate algorithms and control performance against system requirements
Collaborate with laser physics, optical, mechanical, electrical, and controls teams to define system interfaces, sensor/actuator placement, and operational concepts
Generate and maintain rigorous technical documentation, including control specifications, algorithm descriptions, requirements, interface definitions, test plans, and validation reports
Support technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) with quantitative analysis and experimental data
Support system commissioning, operations, and iterative performance improvement of deployed optical control systems

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Mechatronics, or a closely related field
Experience: 5+ years of experience in optical systems, control systems, or adaptive optics, with demonstrated handson implementation experience
Adaptive Optics (AO) experience demonstrated through prior handson experience with:
- Development and tuning of adaptive optics closedloop control systems, including wavefront reconstruction and correction
- Practical experience with wavefront sensing technologies (e.g., ShackHartmann or equivalent), including calibration, alignment, and noise characterization
- Design and implementation of realtime AO control algorithms, with attention to latency, bandwidth, and stability
- Handson integration and control of fast steering mirrors (FSMs) and slow steering mirrors (SSMs)
- Ability to model AO system performance endtoend, including sensor noise, actuator dynamics, timing, and controllaw effects
- Experience validating AO performance through laboratory testing and insystem commissioning, not simulation alone
- Strong understanding of beam quality, pointing error, jitter, and wavefront error budgeting
Strong foundation in control theory, including classical and modern methods applied to realtime physical systems
Proficiency with algorithm development and analysis tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or equivalent numerical environments
Hands-on experience integrating sensors and actuators into closedloop optical or electromechanical control systems
Ability to work safely in laboratory and industrial environments involving highpower lasers, high voltage, and precision equipment
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or otherwise authorized to work in the United States

Desired

Experience with highenergy or highaveragepower laser adaptive optics, including thermal and dynamic beam distortions
Familiarity with advanced or predictive control techniques applied to AO systems (e.g., LQG, modelbased observers)
Implementation of AO or beamcontrol algorithms on realtime hardware platforms (FPGA, DSP, GPU, or similar)
Integration of AO systems with precision timing or TOFbased synchronization systems
Experience with optical metrology and interferometric techniques for wavefront and beam characterization
Participation in AOrelated design reviews, test readiness reviews, or commissioning campaigns
Exposure to operation in demanding environments such as vacuum systems, vibration, thermal gradients, or highpower laser facilities

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 Opportunity

Xcimer 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.

Benefits

Xcimer 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 company’s 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.

$130,000 - $160,000 a year

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