Light Generation Lead (f/m/d)

Department: Laser

Location: Darmstadt, DE

Employment Type: FullTime

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

As a Technical Lead – Light Generation (f/m/d) lead the development of Focused Energy's laser front-end technology, turning existing R&D and hardware into a documented, industrially deliverable system for inertial confinement fusion (ICF).

This is a technical leadership and technology ownership role, not a requirement to be the team's deepest laser specialist. You'll set direction, lead technical experts and manage suppliers as the front end moves from internal development towards outsourced manufacturing. You'll connect decisions made today to a technology roadmap spanning the next three to five years.

You won't start from a blank page: hardware and development work are already in place. The next step is to establish traceable requirements, structured documentation and approved design reviews, while building the supplier relationships and delivery plans needed to scale.

What You'll Do

• Own and develop the front-end technology so it meets the interface requirements defined by systems engineering. Work closely with the front-end subsystem and light-conditioning leads where their responsibilities overlap.

• Take ownership of the technology roadmap, developing the existing outline into a detailed plan that connects successive projects to long-term goals.

• Lead the technical team, establish clear responsibilities and accountability, and build the expertise needed as the group grows.

• Manage external development and manufacturing partners, retaining strong internal technical expertise while suppliers deliver the work.

• Develop the supplier strategy, including potential second sources, framework contracts, intellectual property arrangements and exclusivity considerations.

• Turn existing research and hardware into an industrial engineering baseline with traceable requirements, documentation, design reviews and a hardware delivery plan.

• Identify and manage technical and delivery risks, make trade-offs under uncertainty, and communicate decisions clearly to technical colleagues and executive leadership.

Who You Are

• Experience leading technical teams: setting direction, resolving disagreements and creating ownership and accountability.

• Experience delivering complex technology in an industrial setting, balancing timing, resources, documentation and technical performance.

• Experience managing technical suppliers or development partners, including strategic and commercial discussions.

• The ability to build a multi-year technology roadmap, not just deliver a single project with a fixed end date.

• Enough technical understanding to engage with laser front-end specialists, evaluate their input and make informed decisions. Relevant topics include temporal contrast, spectral bandwidth and pulse shaping for ICF; deep expertise in every topic is not required.

• Comfort making and owning decisions while requirements and priorities are still evolving, including when important questions remain unresolved for several months.

• Clear communication with technical experts and VP- and C-level stakeholders, including the ability to listen to specialists without needing to be the expert in every discussion

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.