Focused Energy is a German-American fusion company developing laser-based fusion technology to produce clean, safe, and virtually inexhaustible energy.
Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply. We are seeking a skilled Laser Diode Technology Engineer, who will own and drive the Diode Advance Program. This is a multi-year, multi-partner R&D initiative spanning leading research institutes, semiconductor manufacturers, and industrial partners. You will combine hands-on technical leadership with program management, ensuring that what gets developed in the lab can be built and deployed at commercial scale. WHAT YOU’LL DO: - Own the Diode Advance Program end-to-end: scope, schedule, budget, risks, and deliverables across all work packages, including next-generation development, exploratory R&D, manufacturability confirmation, subsystem cost reduction, cost modeling, and beam-shaping optimization. - Serve as primary technical interface with external research partners on diode bar development, overseeing both an evolutionary performance track and a high-risk/high-reward exploratory concept. - Coordinate manufacturability reviews with multiple diode manufacturers; manage separate design-review cycles to confirm that R&D designs can be produced at commercial scale. Maintain the confidentiality firewall between competing manufacturers. - Drive power-supply and cooling cost-down: manage collaborations with industrial partners to benchmark, redesign, and prototype improved driver electronics and cooling subsystems; scout and onboard additional partners. - Provide technical inputs to the diode cost model covering the full stack and translate cost targets into engineering requirements. - Communicate program progress, risks, and decisions clearly to executive leadership and all internal and external stakeholders. WHO YOU ARE: - Master's degree (or higher) in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related field. - 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, product development, or technical project management in a multi-physics environment (thermal, electrical, optical, mechanical). - Demonstrated ability to manage multi-partner R&D projects, coordinating external research institutes, industrial suppliers, and internal teams simultaneously. - Hands-on experience translating R&D outputs into manufacturable products: design-for-manufacturing, supplier coordination, and prototype-to-production transitions. - Strong cost and manufacturability mindset - Fluency in English - Self-directed, structured, and comfortable operating in a fast-moving startup - Preferred: Experience with high-power diode lasers WHAT WE OFFER: - Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery. - Career 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. - Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges. - Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company. - Your 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. - Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year. - Flexibility: We believe work should adapt to your life—not the other way around. That’s why we offer a hybrid setup, giving you the freedom to work from our office while also enjoying the flexibility to work from home when it suits you. - Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a subsidized canteen with delicious lunch options daily. - Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 15% on top of your monthly contributions. - Equipment: Choose between a state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptop. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1. - Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace. - Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle. - Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub. Focused 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. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.