---
title: 'Project Manager – Laser-Driven Radiation Source (f/m/d) at Focused'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/project-manager-laser-driven-radiation-source-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-vsag3gjksn46'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Project Manager – Laser-Driven Radiation Source (f/m/d) at Focused

- **Company:** Focused
- **Location:** Darmstadt, DE
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-06-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/focused/c88bde3c-0360-4c06-9101-6160014bc436/application

**Skills:** Project Management, Program Management, Integrated Planning, Risk Management, Change Control, Budget Tracking, Procurement Coordination, Requirements Management, Interface Management, Readiness Reviews, Safety Reviews, Laser Facilities, Accelerators, Aerospace, Semiconductor Tools, Scientific Infrastructure, Robotics, PDR/CDR/TRR Review Gates, Verification Planning, High Voltage Safety

> Lead the execution of the world's first laser-driven radiation source prototype by managing integrated project plans, risk, and cross-functional engineering teams to deliver a research-operable hardware system.

## Job description

Company Overview Focused Energy is a laser-driven fusion company building technologies that can unlock clean, abundant energy. Alongside our long-term mission, we also develop near-term, high-impact applications based on compact laser-driven radiation sources that combine MeV X-rays and fast neutrons in a single system for non-destructive testing and advanced inspection.

## Role Overview

We are looking for a Project Manager to lead the execution of the worlds first laser-driven radiation source prototype, bringing together multiple subsystem owners and engineering teams to deliver a research-operable prototype. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys turning complex technical development into a structured plan, enabling teams to deliver on time, and building an operational hardware system. You will work together with the main system owners within the project make sure the right work happens at the right time, with clear interfaces, controlled changes, and strong transparency.

## Key Responsibilities

- Own the integrated project plan: maintain the master schedule across subsystems, dependencies, and critical path; drive recovery plans when milestones slip.
- Lead project governance and cadence: run core meetings, maintain decisions and actions, and ensure consistent status reporting that highlights progress, blockers, and next steps.
- Align work to the technical roadmap: ensure subsystem plans and milestones stay consistent with the program direction; surface deviations early and drive resolution.
- Drive requirements and interface management: Ensure system-level requirements and interfaces are tracked, implemented and validated consistently and are under change control.
- Decision traceability: Establish a way with the team to efficiently document progress and make decisions traceable.
- Own risk and issue management: maintain a single risk register process with mitigation ownership, regular review cadence, and clear escalation paths. Steer and track the risk reduction over time to meet the project goals.
- Budget & procurement coordination: track budget, forecasts, and changes; coordinate long-lead procurement tracking with engineering and system owners.
- Verification & readiness: plan and guide readiness reviews with system owners (e.g., design reviews, integration readiness, commissioning readiness); ensure evidence, test plans, and acceptance criteria are captured.
- Safety & operational readiness: ensure a research-operable safety approach is implemented (hazard reviews, procedures, training, operational envelopes) so the system is safe for researchers to use.
- Process improvement: continuously improve delivery flow and documentation efficiency with the Project Management Office to reduce redundancy and increase execution speed, without compromising safety or quality.

Required Skills & Experience

- Experience: 7+ years project/program management in complex R&D environments (hardware-heavy systems preferred: laser facilities, accelerators, aerospace, semiconductor tools, scientific infrastructure, robotics, or similar).
- Technical Background: Understand how the system components interact and have the ability to understand the technical problems the team faces on a high level. Have at least worked 3+ years in the technical execution besides your management experience.
- Planning discipline: strong ability to build and maintain integrated plans (milestones, work packages, dependencies, critical path) and keep teams aligned.
- Risk & change control: proven experience running risk registers, issue management, and practical change control in dynamic R&D settings.
- Communication: clear, concise communicator who can lead meetings, write crisp status updates, and drive action closure with senior stakeholders.
- Operational rigor: able to support readiness/commissioning planning and ensure documentation and evidence are produced at a level that enables repeatable operation.

Nice-to-Have

- Experience managing first-of-a-kind builds, prototypes, or pilot facilities.
- Familiarity with review gates (PDR/CDR/TRR or equivalent) and verification planning.
- Exposure to safety-critical environments (high voltage, radiation-adjacent facilities, vacuum/laser labs, interlock systems).
- Experience working with cross-site teams and external suppliers.

Why Join Us:

- Mission-driven work on a technology stack at the intersection of physics, engineering, and real-world impact.
- High ownership and visibility in a fast-moving, cross-disciplinary team.
- Competitive compensation and participation in the company’s success (equity/ownership opportunities may be available depending on role and location).
- A collaborative, international environment with strong learning and growth opportunities.
- Flexible working model (role-dependent) and modern equipment and benefits.

## What We Offer

- Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.
- Career Development: We invest in our people. 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.
- 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.
- Vacation: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.
- Flexibility: We offer a hybrid setup, giving you the freedom to work from our office while also enjoying the flexibility to work from home up to two days a week.
- Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a subsidized canteen.
- Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 15% on top of your monthly contributions.
- Equipment: Choose between a state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptop, fully equipped from day one.
- Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture.
- Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs whether it’s public transportation, taxis or car-sharing.
- Fitness with Wellhub: 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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