Senior R&D Engineer

Senior R&D Engineer (Mechatronics & Hardware)

Location: Darmstadt
Position Type: Full-time

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is a global leader in laser-driven fusion, pioneering the most promising path to clean, limitless fusion power. With headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, and the San Francisco Bay Area, we unite top minds in science and engineering to realize commercial-scale fusion power using proven technologies.

We are not only ambitious in our pursuit of long-term, game-changing energy solutions - we are also addressing critical, near-term challenges with global impact. Our breakthrough initiative, SourceLight, is developing compact, laser-driven radiation sources (LDRS). These dual-mode systems combine MeV X-rays and fast neutrons, enabling real-time, non-destructive inspection of complex or shielded materials. This technology addresses crucial challenges in nuclear waste storage, contraband detection, infrastructure inspection, and medical isotope production.

As part of a cross-disciplinary team of laser and plasma physicists, engineers, and AI experts, we are building our first pilot facility in Biblis, Germany. Join us and help shape this deep-tech venture from the ground up!

Your Mission

You will design key components of our laser-driven radiation source, taking ownership of a pivotal R&D area. You will bridge the gap between scientific setups and industrial products, directly impacting a technology positioned to redefine multiple industries.

Key Responsibilities:

• System Ownership: Lead the lifecycle of complex electro-mechanical modules, translating high-level physics requirements into concrete, manufacturable specifications and ensuring a smooth transition from prototype to product development.

• Engineering for Challenging Environments: Design and validate hardware capable of continuous operation in high-vacuum (1e-5 mBar), under high electromagnetic and thermal loads, and in radiation-rich settings.

• Rapid Prototyping: Engage hands-on in building, testing, troubleshooting, and refining hardware both in the lab and during external beamtime campaigns.

• Design Authority: Serve as the technical hardware lead for your module, collaborating with other engineering competencies to finalize architecture, thermal management strategies, and interfaces.

• Technical Feasibility: Develop scalable systems with validated feasibility, reduce technical risks, and drive components from concept design through prototype to pilot readiness.

• Documentation & Traceability: Produce high-quality technical documentation, including detailed design decisions, test reports, risk registers, and design reviews to ensure reproducibility and knowledge transfer.

• Collaborative Integration: Work closely with researchers to define test procedures, analyze experimental data, and generate data-driven insights for continuous design improvement.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications:

• B.Sc., M.Sc., or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics Engineering, or related field

• 5+ years of experience in R&D hardware development—preferably in the semiconductor, aerospace, particle accelerator, or laser facility industries

• Structured R&D approach, with strong skills in problem formulation, design reviews, test protocol definition, and clear communication of results and decisions

• Expertise in vacuum compatible design: understanding virtual leaks, cleanliness, outgassing, and in-vacuum thermal management

• Proven experience in precision mechatronics, such as mechanical design, motorized stages, piezo actuators, and micron-level alignment in constrained environments

• Knowledge of industry-standard processes for transitioning from prototype to product through fast iteration cycles

• Experience with thermal management, including heating and cooling in vacuum environments and thermal flow simulation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coding experience (e.g., Python, LabVIEW) for hardware validation and test bench setup

• Experience as a technical project lead or product owner in a Scrum framework, delivering within system environments

Join Focused Energy to make an immediate and lasting impact in a company dedicated to transforming energy and technology sectors worldwide. Apply now and help power the future!

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.