Light Amplification Lead (f/m/d)
Level inferred from job title
Job description
Lead the laser amplification function at a deep-tech fusion company, providing line management for technical teams and owning the amplification development roadmap and architecture. The role steers complex engineering projects and connects amplification to the wider laser system.
At a glance
- Work mode
- Hybrid · Darmstadt, Germany
What you'll do
- Lead and develop the function, providing line management for technical teams, setting clear expectations, giving feedback and developing their capabilities
- Build a view of the skills and capacity needed as the programme evolves, and contribute to hiring and team development
- Listen to different stakeholders, critically review their input and challenge assumptions
- Work with specialists to assess options and make reasoned decisions, identifying where further evidence or expertise is needed
- Translate system requirements and programme priorities into a function-level plan that goes beyond individual task lists
- Establish milestones, identify dependencies and capability gaps, and adapt the plan as requirements and evidence change
- Lead larger technical projects through uncertainty, keeping priorities, resources, risks and trade-offs visible
- Coordinate with programme management and lab operations, and escalate issues early
- Take accountability for the amplification architecture, requirements and interfaces, drawing on the team's specialist expertise
- Coordinate with adjacent laser functions and system integration so technical decisions support agreed performance and integration needs
What we're looking for
- Some laser exposure and a general understanding of amplification
- Extensive technical leadership experience leading technical teams and larger, complex engineering projects, with responsibility for people, priorities and delivery
- Strong engineering judgement: evaluate technical arguments, distinguish assumptions from evidence, identify risks and challenge recommendations constructively
- Experience leading through uncertainty on development programmes with incomplete information, evolving requirements or changing technical priorities
- People and stakeholder leadership, including line management and developing technical colleagues, not only coordinating schedules
- Background may be in laser systems, photonics, optical systems or a broader complex-engineering programme that includes relevant laser work
Nice to have
- Direct experience developing laser amplifiers or high-energy/high-power laser systems
- Familiarity with solid-state, fibre or diode-pumped amplification, CPA/OPCPA, or relevant pulsed and ultrafast systems
- Systems engineering, requirements traceability, technology-maturity planning and subsystem integration
- Industrialisation, supplier coordination, budget and resource planning, or design for cost and manufacture
- Experience in fusion, a high-power laser facility or a defence laser programme
- A PhD or equivalent depth of experience in physics, photonics or a related engineering discipline
Your team
Laser amplification function
The laser amplification chain scales the beam energy needed by the fusion system; developing it involves complex technical decisions, interdependent teams and evolving requirements.
Benefits
Innovative Technology & Mission: cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery
Career Development: opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology and develop and grow your career
Ownership: take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges, and shaping the future of the company
- Collaborative Culture: dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers, and professionals
- Competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options
- 30 days of vacation per year
- Ability to work from the office, with some flexibility to work from home
- Healthy snacks and drinks; Darmstadt office offers a canteen with lunch options daily
- Private pension plan: company finances 20% on top of monthly contributions, plus loyalty incentives
- Regular events to foster team bonding and collaboration
Apply
About Focused Energy
Commercializing laser-driven nuclear fusion
Focused Energy is an international deep-tech company based in Germany and the US, working to commercialize laser-driven nuclear fusion.
Mission
To provide clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy to the world.
Key facts
- Laser-driven nuclear fusion
- International deep-tech company based in Germany and the US
- Working to commercialize laser-driven nuclear fusion
- Rapidly scaling
- Darmstadt office offers a canteen with lunch options daily
What they value
- Collaborative Culture
- Ownership
- Your Success is our Success