{"id":2143986,"url":"https://alion.io/job/focused-controls-software-engineer","title":"Controls Software Engineer","company":{"id":24087,"name":"Focused Energy","domain":"focused.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/focused-ai","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":95,"open_postings":6,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":71,"computed_at":"2026-10-10T05:45:15Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Austin, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":119000,"max_usd":247000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":7766},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Computer Vision","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-21T15:54:44Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-21","last_verified_at":"2026-10-12T03:03:15Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":20,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":20},"description":"Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion. Backed by our $240M Series A - the largest fully secured Series A in the global fusion industry - we are scaling rapidly across multiple geographies.\nBased in Germany and the US, we have brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to realize game-changing scientific innovation that promises to deliver a clean, sustainable and abundant source of power globally.\nYour Role\nOur TTE efforts depend on software to calibrate hardware automatically, process images, manage and store machine data, and give operators clear supervisory controls. As a Software Engineer, you will add the software engineering capacity needed to integrate these functions into reliable workflows.\nYou will independently deliver well-scoped, production-quality software features from design through deployment. Your primary mission is to create reliable automated calibration, image processing, data handling, data storage, supervisory control, and HMI capabilities that let engineers and operators configure, monitor, and run effectively.\nWhat You'll Do\nDesign, implement, test, and deploy well-scoped features.\n\nImplement automated calibration software for hardware and machine workflows.\n\nBuild image processing software used for target tracking, calibration, and engagement.\n\nImplement reliable data handling and data storage for machine and image data, including logging and basic monitoring.\n\nHelp implement supervisory control system and its human-machine interface (HMI).\n\nWork with software, controls, systems, and other engineers to define interfaces, review code, document decisions, and address common failure modes.\n\nAlign software interfaces and test plans with key stakeholders, and communicate progress, technical trade-offs, risks, and timelines clearly.\n\nWho You Are\nMust-haves\nExperience building and testing production software in a team environment.\n\nYou can independently own moderately complex, well-scoped features from design through deployment.\n\nYou write clean, readable, documented code and use source control and code review practices.\n\nYou understand automated testing, debugging, logging, and common software failure modes.\n\nYou can work with technical partners to turn machine or engineering needs into practical software.\n\nYou are willing to use approved AI-assisted development tools responsibly and review all generated work to the same quality standard.\n\nNice-to-haves\nExperience with computer vision or image processing.\n\nExperience with automated calibration, robotics, motion systems, or precision hardware.\n\nExperience with data pipelines, machine data formats, databases, or high-volume data storage.\n\nExperience with supervisory control systems, HMI development, or controls-adjacent software.\n\nYou have worked with hardware, experimental systems, scientific equipment, or real-time systems.\n\nWhat We Offer\nInnovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.\n\nCareer Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you'll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.\n\nCollaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.\n\nOwnership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.\n\nYour Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.\n\nMedical, Dental, Vision: Multiple great plans to pick from that are active come the 1st Day of employment for you and any enrolled dependents.\n\nVacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you Unlimited PTO.\n\nSnacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks.\n\nFocused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.\nPursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.\nCompensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 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