Optical Engineer

Department: Design and Engineering

Location: Livermore

Employment Type: FullTime

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Optical Engineer to advance high power laser system design and testing capabilities for Inertia’s fusion energy program. A key element is development of the world’s highest average power pulsed lasers, which will form the ‘unit cell’ of our power plant. In partnership with industry, government and academia, we will build a demonstrator beamline to deliver 10 kJ at 10 Hz with 10% wall-plug efficiency using diode-pumped solid state laser technology (DPSSL).

This position initially involves the design of optical test facilities, and subsequent co-design of the integrated beamline systems.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop creative optical designs for beyond state-of-the-art high-average power laser systems

• Perform ray-tracing and stray light analysis for a wide range of optical systems design.

• Undertake optical analysis (hot spots, ghosts, stray light, beam profiles)

• Interface with mechanical engineering design teams for integrated systems

• Create optical prints and work with supply chain

What You’ll Bring:

• BS or MS in Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering or related field.

• 5+ years experience in optical design relevant to high energy lasers

• Strong expertise in the use of optical design tools such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, etc.

Salary & Benefits:

• The base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $215,000; The pay range provided is an estimated base range for this role. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and education.

• We offer market-competitive compensation and an excellent benefits program, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, company-paid holidays, matching 401k, and more!

About Inertia:

Inertia is the commercial fusion energy company. We lead laser-based fusion, the only category of fusion energy based on proven physics. To create a world with limitless clean energy, we’re building big. The most powerful laser system ever created for fusion energy. Mass-manufactured targets for affordable fusion fuel. And power plants that can deliver fusion energy at grid-scale. Inertia is creating star power for life on Earth.

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls, security classification and/or designation as Controlled Unclassified Information. Employment in this position is conditioned on the candidate’s eligibility for, obtaining and maintaining appropriate government authorization to access technology or information, to the extent required, including without limitation a security clearance, export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items technology or information.