---
title: 'Laser and Optics Controller at Xcimer Energy'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/laser-and-optics-controller-xcimer-energy-denver-bp7y4cg80v11'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Laser and Optics Controller at Xcimer Energy

- **Company:** Xcimer Energy
- **Location:** Denver, CO
- **Compensation:** $44–$52/hr
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-12
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/xcimer/5e1a84d8-876a-4553-8a48-274ea1d3f784

## Job description

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!

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.

As an Laser and Optics Controller for Phoenix, you will apply your technical and operational skills to operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining the laser and optical components in a state-of-the-art laser system. You will learn from our laser and optics subject matter experts and be one of the first to formally qualify to operate the system.  Once qualified, you will serve as Beamline Controller – interacting with our control interface and working with the Shot Director to execute critical procedures in our laser experiment operations.   During maintenance and upgrade operations, you will also perform hands on work on the system to troubleshoot, perform corrective and preventive maintenance, and execute system upgrades.  We are looking for our controllers to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!

## Responsibilities

- Train and qualify as a Laser and Optics Controller for the Phoenix Laser System
- Serve as a Laser and Optics Controller, executing procedures and working in support of the Shot Director, during laser experiment operations
- Develop procedures and other shot operations infrastructure for the Phoenix pulsed power system
- Troubleshoot performance anomalies both during shot operations and during maintenance activities
- Perform hands-on integration and maintenance work with the Phoenix team during maintenance and upgrade windows

## Qualifications

- Education: Masters or Bachelors degree in optics, physics or other related discipline
- Experience manufacturing or operating optical hardware
- Must be willing to work on a set 8-hour shift with set start and stop times.  Must also be willing to work overtime on non-shift hours during critical times.
- Ability to read and interpret basic optical specifications of COTs and Custom components.
- Understanding of coating purpose and limitations, including reflectivity, bandwidth, angle sensitivity, and damage threshold.
- Understanding of appropriate optic cleaning techniques based on optic type and coating, including when cleaning is acceptable and when it should be avoided.
- Ability to handle delicate components and performing precise adjustments.
- Basic understanding of physical processes such as absorption, gain, scattering, and saturation.
- Proficiency with two aperture beam alignment techniques.
- Ability to manipulate beam propagation, for example recollimating an expanding beam or adjusting focus position.
- Understanding of laser safety principles, including eyesafe wavelengths, exposure limits, and use of laser safety eyewear.
- Ability to select optical components based on given specifications, including diameter, coating, flatness, surface quality, and damage threshold.
- Ability to follow optical layouts and drawings and translate them into physical setups.
- Basic troubleshooting skills to identify misalignment, clipping, ghost reflections, and common optical issues.
- Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, capable of lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds unassisted for an extended period.
- 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

Desired

- Pulsed power laser experience
- Working knowledge of control systems and mechanical/pneumatic equipment

## Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.

## Benefits

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success. Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.

## About Xcimer Energy

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Xcimer Energy is building the world’s most powerful excimer lasers to commercialize inertial fusion energy, delivering safe, affordable, and effectively limitless power while also strengthening national security.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A; total funding ~$200M)
- **Headquarters**: Denver, Colorado, United States (with manufacturing operations in Tucson, Arizona)
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Conner Galloway (CEO, CSO) and Alexander Valys (President, CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Fusion energy (inertial confinement fusion), laser systems, national security/defense
- **Target customers**: B2B / B2G (utilities, government, defense contractors, national laboratories)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Transform decades of scientific progress into commercial fusion plants to deliver safe, affordable, and effectively limitless energy—while improving air defense and national security.”

## Products & Services
- **Phoenix (2026)**: Prototype system demonstrating core laser technology and laser architecture in Denver.
- **Anvil (2028)**: 200 kJ, two-sided inertial fusion energy (IFE) excimer beamline demonstrator using Argos laser modules – the largest laser amplifiers in the world.
- **Vulcan (2031)**: Engineering (wall-plug) breakeven demonstration – world’s largest laser, combining many Argos modules to achieve 4 MJ of laser energy on target, upgradeable to 12 MJ.
- **Athena (2035)**: First commercial laser fusion power plant, delivering 400 MW of electricity to the grid.
- **National Security Applications**: Nuclear Weapons Effects Testing (NWET), stockpile stewardship, and directed energy systems.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – “nearly $200 million” per FAQ page; “more than $150M raised” per media page (conflicting reports, both cited)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Hedosophia, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, Prelude Ventures, Emerson Collective, Starlight Ventures, Wireframe Ventures, Leitmotif Ventures, Gigascale Capital. Also partners with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, MIT, University of Rochester, General Atomics, Westinghouse.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 109 employees (+45.6% YoY), plans to double the team over the next year, 32 open positions across 5 departments, largest laser fusion award from U.S. Department of Energy’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Excimer laser architecture (KrF)**: 30x lower cost per joule than the solid-state lasers used at NIF; technology is commercially proven in semiconductor lithography.
- **Scientifically validated approach**: Only fusion method that has achieved scientific breakeven in the laboratory (NIF ignition).
- **Aggressive but grounded roadmap**: Wall-plug breakeven by 2031, grid power by 2035 – one of the fastest timelines in the industry.
- **Dual-use technology**: Fusion energy platform also serves critical national security applications, opening additional funding and partnership avenues.

## Strategic Focus
- Complete Phoenix and Anvil milestones to de-risk laser architecture.
- Hire and scale the team (targeting double the current headcount).
- Secure site for Vulcan and prepare for engineering breakeven demonstration.
- Advance commercial fusion power plant (Athena) design and regulatory pathways.
- Expand defense and government partnerships.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture highlights**: Values precision, creativity, collaboration, and questioning assumptions. Team includes top talent from fusion, energy, defense, aerospace, semiconductor lithography, and academia.
- **Work environment**: Primarily onsite in Denver, CO (engineering roles); flexible work environment, dog-friendly office, free lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- **Notable perks**: Competitive wages, equity compensation plan, comprehensive health/dental/vision insurance, 401k with employer match, up to 12 weeks paid parental leave, 13 paid holidays, generous sick leave and vacation, relocation package, professional growth opportunities.
- **Internship program**: Highly competitive, hands-on experience in fusion science and engineering; strong track record of converting interns to full-time hires.

## Sources
1. [xcimer.energy/company](https://xcimer.energy/company/)
2. [xcimer.energy/careers](https://xcimer.energy/careers/)
3. [xcimer.energy/faq](https://xcimer.energy/faq/)
4. [xcimer.energy/media](https://xcimer.energy/media/)
5. [linkedin.com/company/xcimer-energy-corporation](https://linkedin.com/company/xcimer-energy-corporation)

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