---
title: 'Light Delivery Lead (f/m/d) at Focused'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/light-delivery-lead-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-bd62getamn05'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-17'
---

# Light Delivery Lead (f/m/d) at Focused

- **Company:** Focused
- **Location:** Darmstadt, DE
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-10-12
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-17
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/focused/6d7fa13e-a9ba-433d-b6d3-b356619e7170

## Job description

## About Focused Energy

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

Lead the development of the beam transport and final focusing technology that delivers laser light to the target for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) at Focused Energy. This is an early-stage technology leadership role: you'll develop key requirements, concepts and technical solutions. You'll lead the work from an unresolved engineering problem to tested concepts and a baseline design, balancing optical performance, large-optic constraints and the radiation environment near the target. You'll build a technology strategy for the next three to five years, making decisions about R&D, space, budget and potential partners before every answer is available. Strong technical judgement and first-principles thinking matter more than having already built an identical system. Relevant experience may include laser systems, large-optic development, aerospace, telescope optics, or directed-energy applications. Prior experience with this specific problem is not required; we value strong technical judgment and the ability to develop innovative solutions in new fields.

## What You'll Do

- Own the technology development for beam transport and the final focusing assembly, working with systems engineering on requirements and interfaces.
- Develop and compare concepts for transporting and focusing high-energy laser beams, including maintaining wavefront quality across large optics and addressing radiation exposure at the final optic.
- Turn open technical questions into a structured R&D programme: test competing concepts, gather evidence quickly and retire options that do not meet the requirements.
- Establish a baseline concept that enables wider system and facility planning, including the space needed for the final focusing assembly. Make assumptions and trade-offs explicit, and own decisions as evidence evolves.
- Build a multi-year technology roadmap, balancing new development with available technology and planning the resources needed to deliver it.
- Lead technical specialists, set direction and responsibilities, and build the foundation for the team as the work develops.
- Decide whether beam transport should be developed internally or sourced externally. If outsourced, establish the appropriate partnership or contract and manage the technical relationship.
- Communicate risks, decisions and progress clearly to cross-functional colleagues and executive leadership.

## Who You Are

•A strong technical foundation in high-energy laser systems or relevant large-optic technologies, sufficient to lead concept development and evaluate technical risks. Experience with small-beam high-power systems alone does not address the full challenge of this role.

- Evidence of solving unfamiliar technical problems through first-principles reasoning, experimentation and iterative concept development.
- Experience leading technical teams, setting direction, resolving disagreements and creating ownership and accountability.
- The ability to make consequential decisions with incomplete information, explain the trade-offs and take responsibility for the outcome.
- Experience building a multi-year technology strategy rather than focusing only on the next project milestone.
- The ability to work across engineering disciplines, listen to specialists and communicate clearly with VP- and C-level stakeholders.
- Comfort working through evolving requirements and extended periods of uncertainty without losing direction.

## 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.
- Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.
- Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a canteen with delicious lunch options daily.
- Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 20% on top of your monthly contributions, plus loyalty incentives.
- Equipment: We offer state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptops. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.
- Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.
- Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle.
- Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub.

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)

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