Principal 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.

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!

• 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.

• 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…