Director, Integrated Target Design

Xcimer Energy is advancing Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) by combining decades of scientific progress with a breakthrough laser architecture designed for practical and scalable fusion power. Our mission is to deploy commercial fusion plants quickly enough to accelerate global decarbonization, and also reduc the cost of electricity. Backed by leading investors, Xcimer brings together experts in laser physics, fusion science, and advanced manufacturing with a proven history of rapid execution. With a uniquely positioned team and technology, we are urgently working to deliver clean, abundant fusion energy with the speed to address climate change. Please join us in building a future powered by laser driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF). This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO. As the Director of Integrated Target Design at Xcimer, you will lead the interdisciplinary group of scientists and engineers that optimize all aspects of target physics for our new laser architecture. Your main responsibilities will be to guide efforts in advanced simulations and experiments, as well as the recruitment, mentoring, and development of the team. As a technical expert, you will provide day-to-day guidance to your team and participate in cross-function discussions across ICF disciplines. In close partnership with the program leads, you will translate high-level priorities and objectives into actionable plans, and build the culture and collaborations needed to reach the highest possible levels of fusion performance. At Xcimer, you can expect the resources and opportunity to build on decades of prior work in ICF and realize its ultimate potential for producing energy. The ideal candidate would have significant understanding of inertial confinement fusion (ICF), the associated workflows, and existing high-energy-density-facilities and institutions. Responsibilities Build, grow, and lead the Integrated Target Design group, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, managing, mentoring, and the professional development of staffConvert program priorities into detailed work scopes, schedules, and task assignments for the teamEvaluate near-term capability and resource needs and communicate them to program leadership to support effective staffing and toolchain developmentUphold and enforce Xcimer’s cultural values of humble ambition, accountable trust, respectful critique, and rigorous urgencyEnsure the high‑quality execution of all work by removing obstacles and maintaining clear priorities for the teamWork with the Theory and Computation group to ensure modeling capabilities align with design needsCollaborate with the Diagnostic Physics Division (Imaging and Spectroscopy) to ensure researchers have the diagnostic support, interfaces, and coordination needed for high-quality execution of experimentsParticipate as a technical authority in cross‑functional discussions with laser engineering, target fabrication, chamber engineering, diagnostics, etcProvide day-to-day technical guidance to team members in implosion physics, LPI, symmetry control, and energy coupling strategiesReview and validate team outputs for technical quality and consistency Contribute to technical collaborations with national labs, universities, external vendors, and testing facilitiesEstablish department-wide practices, documentation standards, review processes, and quality control appropriate for industrial fusion systems Success Measures An Integrated Design team with high measures of performance, strong collaborations, and very clear prioritiesHigh-quality outputs delivered on schedule and aligned with program goalsStrong integration of target physics and implosion design work into experimental platforms that drive system, element, and program level decisionsEffective recruiting, mentoring, and development of internal capabilitiesConsistent delivery of work scopes tied to physics risks and their resolution Qualifications Ph.D. in Physics or Engineering, or a related technical field, with knowledge of ICFDemonstrated ability to lead and develop scientific or technical teamsStrong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex arguments to diverse staff in a matrixed organizationAbility to manage execution in a fast-moving, interdisciplinary environment, with evolving prioritiesMust be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum Desired Deep expertise in inertial confinement fusion, capsule and hohlraum design, laser-plasma instabilities, hydrodynamics, or a related fieldFamiliarity with radiation‑hydrodynamic modeling workflows, methods in physics validation, and developing or supporting experimental platforms at HED facilities (NIF, OMEGA, Z, or similar)Experience in multi‑institutional experimental collaborationsFamiliarity with topics of interest to IFE including target fabrication, DT filling, cryogenic handling, and/or target injection and delivery 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. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us. 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.