Laser Plasma Diagnostic Specialist

Focused•Austin, TX

10d

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Laser-Plasma Diagnostic Specialist to join our Experimental Physics team. This role is central to advancing Focused Energy's mission to realize commercial laser-driven fusion power. You will contribute to the development, integration, and deployment of advanced diagnostics for inertial fusion energy (IFE) experiments, enabling the characterization of laser-plasma interactions, target performance, and fusion-relevant physics. Working alongside physicists, optical, mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineers, you will help design and commission state-of-the-art diagnostic systems spanning optical, X-ray, charged-particle, and nuclear measurements. Your work will directly support the development of next-generation fusion facilities and provide critical experimental data that guides technology development and scientific discovery. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of experimental plasma physics, diagnostic instrumentation, and high-energy laser science while helping build one of the world's most advanced experimental fusion programs.

Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in the design, development, integration, or operation of laser-plasma diagnostics.
Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following diagnostic areas, with the ability and willingness to contribute across multiple diagnostic disciplines: Optical diagnostics, X-ray diagnostics, Charged-particle diagnostics, Nuclear diagnostics.
Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
2-8 years of experience developing or operating diagnostics for laser-plasma physics experiments.
Experience with one or more diagnostic techniques such as optical imaging or spectroscopy, X-ray imaging, particle detectors, neutron diagnostics, or high-speed imaging.
Strong understanding of experimental optics, precision instrumentation, and vacuum-based experiments.
Experience with experimental data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent scientific software.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience at high-power laser facilities.
Knowledge of inertial confinement fusion, inertial fusion energy, or high-energy-density plasma physics.
Experience with detector calibration, characterization, and uncertainty analysis.
Familiarity with vacuum systems, radiation detectors, high-voltage systems, or precision opto-mechanical instrumentation.
Experience with data acquisition systems, timing systems, and scientific imaging.
Experience integrating diagnostics into complex experimental facilities.
Familiarity with CAD software for diagnostic integration and mechanical design.
Record of scientific publications related to laser-plasma physics or diagnostic development.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, integrate, and commission diagnostics for high-energy-density physics and inertial fusion experiments.
Support diagnostic development across multiple measurement domains, including: Optical diagnostics, X-ray imaging and spectroscopy, Charged-particle diagnostics, Neutron and gamma-ray diagnostics.
Participate in defining diagnostic requirements for new experimental campaigns and facilities.
Work closely with optical, mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers to translate diagnostic concepts into operational systems.
Assist with diagnostic alignment, calibration, commissioning, and experimental operation.
Analyze and interpret experimental data to evaluate diagnostic performance and extract scientific results.
Contribute to experimental planning, diagnostic documentation, and technical reports.
Support interactions with external collaborators, universities, and national laboratories.