Optical Control Systems Engineer

United States·DenverFull-Timemid

EngineeringControl Systems Engineer

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Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture.

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EngineeringControl Systems Engineer

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion!

As an Optical Control Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in the design, implementation, and validation of precision optical control systems for high‑energy laser facilities. You will develop and validate advanced adaptive optics (AO) control algorithms, integrate real‑time optical sensing and actuation hardware, and support time‑of‑flight (TOF)–based tracking and synchronization systems for target insertion and laser‑target engagement. This role spans algorithm development, hardware integration, and system‑level validation in an operational laser environment.

We are seeking an engineer who combines deep optics and controls expertise with hands‑on system integration experience, and who thrives in solving multi‑disciplinary problems at the limits of precision, timing, and speed.

Design, implement, and tune adaptive optics control algorithms for high‑energy laser systems, including wavefront correction, beam pointing, and jitter rejection
Develop control strategies for fast steering mirrors (FSMs) and slow steering mirrors (SSMs), including multi‑loop, multi‑rate, and hierarchical control architectures
Integrate and commission beam diagnostics and position sensors, such as wavefront sensors, quad cells, high-speed cameras, and wave meters, into real‑time closed‑loop optical control systems
Design, implement, and validate time‑of‑flight (TOF)–based tracking, synchronization, and timing systems for target insertion, engagement timing, and laser coordination
Perform system‑level modeling and analysis of optical control performance, including latency, bandwidth, stability margins, noise propagation, and timing error budgets
Plan and execute laboratory, subsystem, and in‑situ commissioning tests to validate algorithms and control performance against system requirements
Collaborate with laser physics, optical, mechanical, electrical, and controls teams to define system interfaces, sensor/actuator placement, and operational concepts
Generate and maintain rigorous technical documentation, including control specifications, algorithm descriptions, requirements, interface definitions, test plans, and validation reports
Support technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) with quantitative analysis and experimental data
Support system commissioning, operations, and iterative performance improvement of deployed optical control systems

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Mechatronics, or a closely related field
Experience: 5+ years of experience in optical systems, control systems, or adaptive optics, with demonstrated hands‑on implementation experience
Adaptive Optics (AO) experience demonstrated through prior hands‑on experience with:
- Development and tuning of adaptive optics closed‑loop control systems, including wavefront reconstruction and correction
- Practical experience with wavefront sensing technologies (e.g., Shack‑Hartmann or equivalent), including calibration, alignment, and noise characterization
- Design and implementation of real‑time AO control algorithms, with attention to latency, bandwidth, and stability
- Hands‑on integration and control of fast steering mirrors (FSMs) and slow steering mirrors (SSMs)
- Ability to model AO system performance end‑to‑end, including sensor noise, actuator dynamics, timing, and control‑law effects
- Experience validating AO performance through laboratory testing and in‑system commissioning, not simulation alone
- Strong understanding of beam quality, pointing error, jitter, and wavefront error budgeting
- Strong foundation in control theory, including classical and modern methods applied to real‑time physical systems
- Proficiency with algorithm development and analysis tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or equivalent numerical environments
- Hands-on experience integrating sensors and actuators into closed‑loop optical or electromechanical control systems
- Ability to work safely in laboratory and industrial environments involving high‑power lasers, high voltage, and precision equipment
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or otherwise authorized to work in the United States