Focused Energy (focused-energy.co)

Laser Optics R&D Program Engineer (f/m/d)

Darmstadt, DE

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 16 days ago

ResearchLeadershipCollaborationMentoring

About the role

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand.
With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply.
Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Own multiple concurrent R&D programs end-to-end: scope, schedule, budget, risks, and deliverables covering areas such as optical coatings, nonlinear crystals, and advanced optical technologies.
Drive milestone gates, purchase orders, and go/no-go decisions with full accountability.
Communicate progress, risks, and decisions across all stakeholders - leadership, technical teams, and external partners - keeping everyone aligned without over-burdening them.
Demonstrated ability to manage multi-partner R&D projects, coordinating external suppliers, research services, and internal teams simultaneously.
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.
Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.
We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture.
Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.
Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture.

5+ years of experience in optics, photonics, or laser technology - sufficient to engage credibly with suppliers and internal experts on coatings, nonlinear crystals, and laser components.
Experience steering technical work packages and coordinating lab activities - you don't need to run every experiment yourself, but you need to know what good looks like.
Maintain confidentiality between suppliers where required.

Experience with laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) testing or optical lifetime and reliability characterization.
Knowledge of advanced or emerging optical coating technologies
Experience working with external optics suppliers and/or photonics research institutes
German and/or French language proficiency
Preferred: Experience with laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) testing or optical lifetime and reliability characterization.
Preferred: Knowledge of advanced or emerging optical coating technologies
Preferred: Experience working with external optics suppliers and/or photonics research institutes
Preferred: German and/or French language proficiency

We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.
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.

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.
Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 15% on top of your monthly contributions.
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.
Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.

We are seeking a skilled and driven Laser Optics R&D Program Engineer to join our team and help us shape the future of energy.
This person will lead several R&D programs covering our laser and optical efforts with external partners.
Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.
Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.
Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.
That's why we offer a hybrid setup, giving you the freedom to work from our office while also enjoying the flexibility to work from home when it suits you.

This listing is sourced directly from Focused Energy (focused-energy.co)'s careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.