Director of Fusion Nuclear Science

About the role

The Director of Fusion Nuclear Science at Xcimer Energy is responsible for leading the scientific disciplines that enable the realization and industrialization of practical fusion power systems. This includes defining and executing the long-term scientific roadmap for fusion chamber dynamics, blanket multi-physics, tritium science, and other critical fusion nuclear science domains.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead and grow the Fusion Nuclear Science department, including hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and professional development of scientific staff
• Define and own the scientific roadmap for fusion chamber dynamics, blanket multi-physics, tritium science, and supporting fusion nuclear science domains
• Develop the strategy for scientific tools, modeling frameworks, experimental capabilities, and validation infrastructure
• Oversee scientific analysis, modeling, code development, and experimental programs with strong emphasis on reproducibility, uncertainty quantification, and model credibility
• Translate scientific insights, experimental data, and validated models into design guidance for engineering teams responsible for fusion system architecture
• Collaborate closely with the engineering and operations divisions, and with other science departments, to ensure strong communication and alignment
• Evaluate emerging scientific opportunities and integrate advances from academia, national laboratories, and international fusion programs
• Manage relationships with external laboratories, university collaborators, and vendors providing modeling tools, experimental facilities, or other fusion nuclear science scope
• Establish department-wide scientific best practices, documentation standards, review processes, and quality expectations appropriate for industrial fusion systems
• Identify key scientific risks across fusion nuclear science programs and drive mitigation strategies supporting execution and long-term scalability
• Support system troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, and scientific review of failures or anomalies encountered in development or experimental operations
• Align fusion nuclear science priorities with company strategy, program schedules, resource constraints, and commercialization goals in partnership with executive leadership

Qualifications

• Education: PhD in Nuclear Science, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics, or a closely related field
• Experience: 12+ years of experience in analysis, simulation, experimental R&D, or technology development for complex nuclear or fusion systems under extreme thermal and radiation environments
• Leadership: 6+ years in leadership of multidisciplinary scientific or R&D organizations
• Experience: Deep experience with nuclear analysis tools (e.g., MCNP), multi-physics simulation software (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS), and reactor thermohydraulic codes (e.g., RELAP, MELCOR)
• Experience: Designing and executing experiments that raise component or system technology readiness
• Proven record: Mentoring and growing high-performing technical teams
• Strong publication and scientific leadership record
• Ability: To operate effectively within a rapidly evolving organization transitioning from startup to industrial scale
• Ability: To balance hands-on scientific leadership with high-level strategic direction and organizational oversight
• Military/veteran status: 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 or granted asylum

Desired Experience

• In fusion chamber research, blanket multi-physics, and tritium fuel cycle analysis
• Familiarity with fusion safety and regulatory requirements
• Experience in the commercial nuclear industry or fusion experimental facilities
• Knowledge of tritium handling systems, molten salt technologies
• Familiarity with fusion plant design and commercialization efforts

Benefits

• 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
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%
• Equity, allowing employees to share in the company's long-term success
• Paid sick time
• 13 company-paid holidays
• An annual paid company shutdown