Controls Engineer

Department: Targetry

Location: Austin, TX

Employment Type: FullTime

Company Overview

Focused Energy is a pioneering fusion energy start-up committed to generating clean electrical energy to responsibly address future global demand. Founded by world-leading laser and plasma physicists together with experienced entrepreneurs, Focused Energy is developing commercial laser-induced inertial fusion technology as a clean, scalable, and economically viable power solution.

Role Summary

The Controls Engineer will lead the development, integration, and commissioning of control systems for the Target Test Experiment (TTE) project. This includes system architecture, control interfacing, safety integration, HMI development, and synchronized data acquisition. The role supports the project through all phases—design, testing, operations, and future modifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the control system architecture for the TTE platform.

• Develop control interfaces for gas gun operations, diagnostics equipment, and facility safety systems.

• Design and implement HMI tools for operational workflows and system monitoring.

• Specify and integrate data acquisition systems with precise time synchronization.

• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and diagnostics engineering to ensure system alignment.

• Produce documentation, configuration control, and interface definitions to FE standards.

• Support onsite commissioning, troubleshooting, and system optimization.

• Adapt the control system as the project evolves through test and operational phases.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation, or scientific/industrial system integration.

• Proven experience with PLC-based control systems (e.g., Beckhoff, Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and industrial communication protocols.

• Experience with safety-rated control functions and interlock systems.

• Hands-on experience with HMI development, system configuration, and commissioning.

• Competency in data acquisition systems, synchronisation methods, and signal interfacing.

• Ability to read and develop control schematics, interface specifications, and system documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to work within multi-disciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, diagnostics).

• Strong troubleshooting skills and experience with system-level debugging in live environments.

• Eligibility to work in the United States (Austin, Texas)

Preferred Knowledge Base

• Experience with PLCs (e.g., Beckhoff, Siemens), industrial networks, and safety systems.

• Experience with software control frameworks (LabVIEW, EPICS, Python-based control layers).

• Knowledge of data acquisition timing, synchronisation protocols, and signal processing.

• Understanding of laser facility operations, vacuum systems, or high-speed diagnostics (advantageous).

• Experience with cleanroom or scientific facilities.

Personal Qualities

• Strong analytical and systems-thinking mindset.

• Comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving R&D environments.

• Excellent communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.

• Proactive problem-solver with a hands-on approach when required.

• Detail-oriented with a commitment to high-quality engineering practice.

Work Requirements

• Ability to work onsite at the Austin facility during installation, commissioning, and testing.

• Willingness to support occasional extended hours during critical test campaigns.

• Ability to travel for supplier visits, integration meetings, or cross-site engineering reviews.

• Capable of carrying out bench-level debugging of control systems and instrumentation.

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.