Diode Laser Engineer

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply.

We are seeking a skilled and driven Diode Laser Engineer to help design, qualify, and scale the high-power diode laser technologies that will power our next-generation fusion laser systems. In this role, you will work at the intersection of physics, engineering, and industrialization — partnering closely with suppliers, research institutions, and internal system teams to advance the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of laser diode technologies.

• Diode Technology Development: Design and evaluate high-power laser diode emitters, bars, and stacks to meet demanding performance, efficiency, lifetime, and cost targets for fusion laser applications.
• Testing & Characterization: Develop and execute comprehensive electro-optical, thermal, and reliability test protocols (P-I-V, spectral behavior, beam quality, thermal resistance, lifetime, etc.) under relevant operating conditions including pulsed, CW, and high‑duty-cycle regimes.
• Automated Test Infrastructure: Design, commission, and operate automated test benches for high-volume characterization and accelerated life testing of commercial and custom laser diode devices.
• Reliability & Lifetime Modeling: Lead accelerated life testing (ALT / HALT), analyze degradation mechanisms and failure modes, and build predictive lifetime and reliability models to inform system design and operational limits.
• Supplier & Partner
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with industry partners, suppliers, national labs, and academic groups to improve diode performance, packaging, thermal management, and manufacturing readiness.
• System Integration: Collaborate with DPSSL system and beamline teams to ensure diode technologies integrate effectively into laser modules and support overall system performance and scalability.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze large experimental datasets, generate rigorous technical documentation, and communicate findings and recommendations clearly to internal teams and external partners.

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in optical, electrical, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field, with deep experience in semiconductor laser physics, epitaxy, packaging, and/or device characterization.
• Proven experience designing, building, and operating laser diode test and characterization setups, including optical, thermal, and electrical diagnostics.
• Strong understanding of thermal management, reliability physics, degradation mechanisms, and lifetime testing methodologies for high‑power semiconductor devices.
• Comfortable working with large experimental datasets, applying statistical and modeling tools to extract insights, predict performance, and guide engineering decisions.
• Able to work effectively across internal system teams and with external suppliers, academic collaborators, and industrial partners in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• You naturally think about how component-level decisions affect system-level performance, cost, scalability, and long-term operational viability.
• Preferred:
  Experience working with diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL), high-average-power laser systems, or adjacent fields such as industrial lasers, photonics manufacturing, or fusion/energy systems.
• Preferred:
  Experience with thermal, optical, or reliability modeling tools to complement experimental work and support predictive design and scaling.

• Innovative Technology & Mission:
  Be part of a cutting‑edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.
• Career Development:
  We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.
• Collaborative Culture:
  Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top‑tier…