Laser/Optical Simulation 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!

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.

As a Laser/Optical Simulation Engineer, you will apply your skills and creativity to help develop and take ownership of an end-to-end digital twin (“virtual beamline”) for our fusion laser architecture that utilizes excimer lasers and nonlinear optical compression! You will help develop new modules, define requirements and interfaces for new modules developed by other teams, improve functionality and performance, and ultimately use this end-to-end model to perform system-level trade studies and sensitivity analyses in order to refine hardware requirements. We are looking for our scientists and engineers to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a “virtual beamline” digital twin of our laser architecture
• Work with other teams (Theory/Computation, Software Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.) and key stakeholders to continue the development of a scalable virtual beamline architecture, as well as requirements, interfaces, functionality, and new modules
• Run Monte Carlo simulations and parameter sensitivity studies using HPC resources
• Write clear documentation to allow other users and developers to get up to speed quickly
• Develop, implement, and enforce unit tests and other code validation checks
• Think outside the box to identify and solve unique challenges involving big lasers!

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
• Experience: 6+ years of experience in the fields of optical physics, lasers, or software engineering
• Expertise in optical simulation methods, including one or more of the following: diffraction, ray tracing, Gaussian beamlet decomposition, laser amplification, turbulence correction, or nonlinear optical propagation
• Demonstrated ability to write and maintain a high-quality, scalable code base with a team
• Design of and hands-on experience using complex optical/laser systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including documentation of technical results
• 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

• Master’s or PhD in physics, optics, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in the fields of optical physics, lasers, or software engineering
• Zemax, FRED, or similar software
• Experience with inverse solution methods
• CAD software experience
• Knowledge of algorithm optimization for speed, especially for distributed computing