Principal Target Design Physicist

Target Design Physicist

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.

$/yr - $/yr

• 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 modelling 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

• 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
• 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
• Mentor interns, junior physicists, and new employees in ICF physics, capsule design fundamentals, and the use of modeling tool chains
• Develop internal training material to broaden team understanding of ignition physics, LPI, and radiation‑hydrodynamic modeling

• 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

• 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…