Optical Engineer

Xcimer Energy•Denver, CO

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Xcimer Energy is seeking an Optical Engineer to contribute to the development of state-of-the-art UV laser systems for laser-driven inertial fusion. This role is within a small, dynamic team focused on bringing fusion energy to the grid. The Optical Engineer will apply broad optical engineering skills and technical leadership to complex problems, directly contributing to the design, build, and test of laser and diagnostic systems. The position requires a dedication to quality and a desire to impact the future of energy.

Requirements

B.S. degree in optical engineering, or related field
5+ years of optical engineering experience
Demonstrated ownership of an optical system or subsystem from concept through hardware, including setting requirements, driving sourcing and fabrication, and leading verification and validation.
Proficiency in commercially available optical design software (FRED & Zemax preferred) and computational tools (MATLAB or Python)
Proficiency in optical system tolerancing based on achievable fabrication limits, and statistical representations of optical system performance
Fluency in optical design using best practices and optimization methods using common imaging-based and beam quality metrics
Experience in optical system / subsystem integration and precision alignment techniques using common instrumentation such as theodolites, auto-collimators, laser trackers, etc
Experience in performing optical metrology including interferometric measurements of optical surfaces, surface scatter characterization, and part inspection
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the design of adaptive optics and tracking (beam pointing stabilization) systems
Experience in high fidelity physical wave optics propagation in the near and far fields
Experience in high energy optical systems working in the deep UV

Responsibilities

Own the optical architecture and performance of laser beamlines and diagnostic systems, from first-principles system calculations through detailed design.
Build analysis of laser beamlines and diagnostics, including alignment design, tolerancing, and component specifications.
Set the optical performance requirements that drive mount design and lead the iteration with the opto-mechanical team to converge the mount requirements and system performance.
Work with optical physicists, electrical, and mechanical engineers to design active beam control systems including AO and tracking systems.
Source optical components including optical elements, coatings, cameras, active beam control, etc.
Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships that support the program’s roadmap.
Lead integration, precision alignment, and test campaigns for laser and diagnostics systems, and establish or improve the methods and best practices the broader team uses to do this work.