---
title: 'Controls Software Engineer at Focused'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/controls-software-engineer-focused-austin-4p3vgpfwyx3s'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-17'
---

# Controls Software Engineer at Focused

- **Company:** Focused
- **Location:** Austin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-17
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/focused/6123e1fd-6b16-47ed-b70b-ed91401cdd5e

## Job description

Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion. Backed by our $240M Series A — the largest fully secured Series A in the global fusion industry — we are scaling rapidly across multiple geographies. Based in Germany and the US, we have brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to realize game-changing scientific innovation that promises to deliver a clean, sustainable and abundant source of power globally.

## Your Role

Our TTE efforts depend on software to calibrate hardware automatically, process images, manage and store machine data, and give operators clear supervisory controls. As a Software Engineer, you will add the software engineering capacity needed to integrate these functions into reliable workflows. You will independently deliver well-scoped, production-quality software features from design through deployment. Your primary mission is to create reliable automated calibration, image processing, data handling, data storage, supervisory control, and HMI capabilities that let engineers and operators configure, monitor, and run effectively.

## What You'll Do

- Design, implement, test, and deploy well-scoped features.
- Implement automated calibration software for hardware and machine workflows.
- Build image processing software used for target tracking, calibration, and engagement.
- Implement reliable data handling and data storage for machine and image data, including logging and basic monitoring.
- Help implement supervisory control system and its human-machine interface (HMI).
- Work with software, controls, systems, and other engineers to define interfaces, review code, document decisions, and address common failure modes.
- Align software interfaces and test plans with key stakeholders, and communicate progress, technical trade-offs, risks, and timelines clearly.

## Who You Are

Must-haves

- Experience building and testing production software in a team environment.
- You can independently own moderately complex, well-scoped features from design through deployment.
- You write clean, readable, documented code and use source control and code review practices.
- You understand automated testing, debugging, logging, and common software failure modes.
- You can work with technical partners to turn machine or engineering needs into practical software.
- You are willing to use approved AI-assisted development tools responsibly and review all generated work to the same quality standard.

Nice-to-haves

- Experience with computer vision or image processing.
- Experience with automated calibration, robotics, motion systems, or precision hardware.
- Experience with data pipelines, machine data formats, databases, or high-volume data storage.
- Experience with supervisory control systems, HMI development, or controls-adjacent software.
- You have worked with hardware, experimental systems, scientific equipment, or real-time systems.

## What We Offer

- 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 scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.
- Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.
- Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.
- Medical, Dental, Vision: Multiple great plans to pick from that are active come the 1st Day of employment for you and any enrolled dependents.
- Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you Unlimited PTO.
- Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.

## About Focused

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Focused Energy is a laser-driven fusion company working to commercialize clean, limitless fusion power using technology proven at the National Ignition Facility (NIF).
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A / Grant-funded)
- **Headquarters**: Darmstadt, Germany (global HQ) with major offices in San Francisco, CA, USA and Austin, TX, USA
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Thomas Forner (CEO) and Prof. Dr. Markus Roth (CSO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Energy – nuclear fusion power generation
- Target customers: Utility companies, grid operators, governments
- Mission: To unleash the next chapter of economic growth and scientific innovation through the widespread adoption of clean, abundant fusion power.

## Products & Services
- **Laser-Driven Fusion Power Plant**: A commercial-scale fusion reactor designed to produce clean, limitless electricity. Currently in development with construction underway for an Integrated Test Facility and a Fusion Pilot Plant on a multi-stage Fusion Campus in Biblis, Germany.
- **Targetry & Laser Systems**: Proprietary fuel targets and high-power laser subsystems developed at the Darmstadt Targetry & Laser Laboratory (FELD) and the Austin Target Tracking & Engagement Facility.
- **R&D Collaborations**: Partnerships with U.S. national laboratories (LLNL, LLE) through the DOE INFUSE program, and with commercial partners such as Amplitude, ZEISS, and Fusioneering.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of **$126.3M** (as of mid-2026), including a $50M grant from SPRIND, a $40M corporate round led by Amplitude Laser, an $11M Series A led by Prime Movers Lab, and ~$25M in additional grants from the U.S. DOE and German state governments.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Prime Movers Lab (lead investor), Amplitude Laser, SPRIND (German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation), U.S. Department of Energy, State of Hesse, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 73.6% year-over-year to 84 employees (LinkedIn, mid-2026); selected as one of eight companies for the DOE’s milestone-based fusion development program; new U.S. facility opened in Austin (2026); Fusion Campus in Biblis under construction.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proven Science**: Approach builds directly on the NIF ignition breakthrough (2021); key team members (including CSO Dr. Debbie Callahan) were co-leaders of the NIF ignition campaign.
- **Deep Public Support**: Among the largest single public investments in laser fusion globally (~€70M from German federal and state sources combined).
- **Full-Stack Approach**: Controls targetry, lasers, and reactor design in-house, enabling rapid iteration and integration.
- **World-Class Team**: Over 150 scientists and engineers with deep expertise from major fusion labs, laser companies, and commercial energy startups.

## Strategic Focus
- **Build Fusion Campus**: Construction of a multi-stage facility in Biblis, Germany, housing an Integrated Test Facility, a Fusion Pilot Plant, and a first-of-its-kind commercial fusion power plant.
- **Scale Technology**: Validate engineering for commercial energy production through integrated prototype testing.
- **Expand U.S. Footprint**: Leverage Austin facility for target tracking, engagement systems, and program execution with U.S. partners.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: Directly contribute to solving the world’s energy and climate challenges with a technology that has already achieved scientific ignition.
- **World-Class R&D**: Collaborate with leading scientists from NIF, TU Darmstadt, and U.S. national labs in state-of-the-art laser and targetry labs.
- **Hybrid Options**: Many roles offer hybrid work arrangements; offices in Darmstadt, San Francisco, and Austin.
- **Culture**: Described as “relentless and brilliant” – a startup environment focused on engineering a step-change for civilization.
- **Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly expanding team and facilities; opportunities to shape a nascent industry.

## Sources
1. [Focused Energy Company Page](https://www.focused-energy.co/company)
2. [Focused Energy Careers Page](https://www.focused-energy.co/careers)
3. [LinkedIn Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/focused-energy-inc)
4. [Built In Company Profile](https://builtin.com/company/focused-energy-focused-energyco)
5. [Ashby Job Board](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/focused)

## Other roles at Focused

- [Facilities Architect (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/facilities-architect-f-m-d-focused-biblis-v29v70e1mxej) — Biblis, DE
- [Fixed Asset Manager (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/fixed-asset-manager-f-m-d-focused-berlin-q1f149ktk0k2) — Berlin, Germany
- [Accounts Payable Manager (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/accounts-payable-manager-f-m-d-focused-berlin-zhwww1819whv) — Berlin, Germany
- [Light Generation Lead (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/light-generation-lead-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-vn8d7vcjjthy) — Darmstadt, DE
- [Light Delivery Lead (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/light-delivery-lead-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-bd62getamn05) — Darmstadt, DE
- [Senior Accounting Manager (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-accounting-manager-f-m-d-focused-berlin-6tx887z24bnf) — Berlin, Germany
- [Principle Control Systems Engineer (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/principle-control-systems-engineer-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-bzhgyxybhkr1) — Darmstadt, DE
- [Light Amplification Lead (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/light-amplification-lead-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-fqxr1tje8n9j) — Darmstadt, DE
- [Working Student - Laser PMO (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/working-student-laser-pmo-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-zta8xj0d79sw) — Darmstadt, DE
- [Senior Commercial Counsel (f/m/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-commercial-counsel-f-m-d-focused-berlin-epy8n0g26waw) — Berlin, Germany