Principal Target Design Physicist

Xcimer Energy•Denver, CO

29d

About The Position

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion! As a Target Design Physicist you will lead capsule and planar-design modeling efforts across Xcimer's target shooting facilities and early Vulcan-relevant physics experiments. This individual will serve as the first internal user of Xcimer's emerging radiation-hydrodynamics code. In this capacity, the physicist will build and test early simulation decks, validate model behavior, and provide structured feedback to the separate code-development team. Their work will ensure that user requirements, physics priorities, and modeling workflows are represented during code maturation. The role will also mentor new team members in ICF physics fundamentals and coordinate technical inputs with consultants and national lab partners to ensure a unified physics basis across all modeling and experimental activities. As a core member of the Target Design group, this physicist will drive high-fidelity capsule simulations, support FLASH-based LPI campaign design, and contribute to the development of Xcimer's internal radiation-hydrodynamics code. Their work will directly inform target, laser, and chamber interface requirements for Xcimer's experimental facilities and future pilot plant concepts. This individual will run and maintain Xcimer's in-house modeling capability, develop physics requirements for planar LPI experiments, and serve as the first internal user of Xcimer's emerging radiation-hydrodynamics code. In this capacity, the physicist will build and test early simulation decks, validate model behavior, and provide structured feedback to the separate code-development team. Their work will ensure that user requirements, physics priorities, and modeling workflows are represented during code maturation. We are looking for our scientists to apply their leadership, technical expertise, curiosity, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy! Success in This Role Looks Like Helios modeling capability maintained and delivering reliable design guidance for all Xcimer target shooting facilities. Modeling requirements for FLASH-based LPI campaigns thoroughly defined, documented, and validated with partners. Radiation-hydrodynamics deck infrastructure established and benchmarked, with clear pathways toward an internal Xcimer code. New interns and hires rapidly onboarded into basic and intermediate ICF physics concepts. Collaborations with consultants and labs produce consistent, unified physics requirements across modeling and experiment. Physics-driven requirements trace cleanly from modeling outputs to target, laser, and diagnostic system design. Early radiation-hydrodynamics decks created and tested, providing clear feedback that guides code improvement by the dedicated development team. A stable user workflow established for Xcimer's internal code, informed by hands-on testing rather than direct software development responsibilities.

Requirements

Education: Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field with emphasis in ICF or HED science.
Experience with radiation hydrodynamic modeling tools
Working knowledge of inertial confinement fusion physics, including capsule implosion dynamics, LPI, and target-material response.
Experience generating, debugging, and verifying simulation decks for HED or ICF applications.
Strong communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical results for partners and internal teams.
Demonstrated experience designing experiments on major HED facilities (OMEGA, NIF, or equivalent).
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 coordinating modeling activities with national labs, universities, or external consultants.
Experience developing, verifying, or benchmarking simulation decks for radiation-hydrodynamics codes, particularly as an early or first user of new modeling tools.
Familiarity with providing user-focused feedback to code-development teams and translating physics and user needs into actionable modeling requirements.
Familiarity with target fabrication constraints, beam smoothing, and chamber-interface physics.
Experience supporting experimental design from a modeling standpoint.

Responsibilities

Target Design Modeling & Physics Analysis
Run and maintain Xcimer's in-house Helios capsule modeling workflows to support design and optimization across multiple target shooting facilities.
Develop and maintain FLASH-based planar LPI modeling capability, ensuring beam profiles, target conditions, and pulse shapes are consistent with experimental objectives.
Document target physics requirements, beam specifications, and pulse constraints needed to execute LPI experiments.
Perform initial testing, verification, and benchmarking of radiation-hydrodynamics models, including early deck development for ignition-relevant physics regimes.
Serve as the first internal user of Xcimer's radiation-hydrodynamics code by developing initial decks, testing model behavior, and identifying physics gaps, workflow needs, and usability issues.
Collaboration & Technical Integration
Coordinate modeling inputs, design reviews, and technical recommendations with Xcimer consultants and national laboratory partners.
Ensure consistency between in-house modeling outputs and external physics guidance from collaborators.
Provide modeling support for target fabrication, beam delivery, and chamber teams as required.
Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer
Mentor interns, junior physicists, and new employees in ICF physics, capsule design fundamentals, and the use of modeling toolchains.
Develop internal training material to broaden team understanding of ignition physics, LPI, and radiation-hydrodynamic modeling.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave (must be employed at time of birth or adoption), short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%.
Paid Time Off: 15 days per year based on weekly scheduled hours, 10 paid sick leave, and 13 company-paid holidays for all regular employees (including part-time), fixed-term, and interns.
Equity will be granted to eligible employees. Equity is designed to allow employees to share in company results and success.

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