--- title: Principal Electro Optical/Adaptive Optics Engineer description: Xcimer Energy is hiring for the Principal Electro Optical/Adaptive Optics Engineer, Directed Energy role. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/principal-electro-optical-adaptive-optics-engineer-directed-energy-at-xcimer-energy-01a0d921-b678-7219-95fa-af64eefe6d74 date: 2026-09-28T00:54:46Z og_description: Join Xcimer Energy as Principal Electro Optical/Adaptive Optics Engineer, Directed Energy in Denver, CO. Pays $190K–$220K per year. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/o8x2j7.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | Xcimer Energy | | **Location** | Denver, CO | | **Salary** | $190K/yr - $220K/yr | | **Type** | Full Time | | **Posted** | Sep 24, 2026 | ## Description 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! This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO. Xcimer’s Directed Energy programs apply the high-energy pulsed laser technology behind our fusion work to national security problems. We are seeking a Principal Electro-Optical/Adaptive Optics Engineer to serve as the adaptive optics and wavefront control authority for a directed-energy laser demonstrator. You will own the adaptive optics requirements, the performance budgets that justify them, and the plan and resources that implement them. You will be a primary technical interface for items such as: negotiating requirements and interfaces, reviewing partner designs and ours against the same performance model, and contributing to a shared development effort rather than handing off a specification. Xcimer’s central goal is commercial fusion, and this role carries technology in both directions. Beam control lessons from the Directed Energy program feed directly into our fusion beamlines, where the same deep-UV wavefront and pointing problems reappear at a different scale and duty cycle. You will help set the beam control direction for fusion on the strength of what you deliver on Directed Energy. Additionally, we are building the adaptive optics group. You will help set the technical standards and development practices it works to, mentor the engineers and scientists in it, and take on technology development that outlives any single program. We move on real hardware quickly. We want the governing equations and a first-order layout before money is committed, and we want a cheap experiment that could break the concept shortly after. We are looking for our scientists and engineers to apply their technical expertise, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy and national security! Equal Employment Opportunity Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see [here](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf) and [here](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf). Benefits Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success. Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit. ## Skills - Electro-Optics - National Security - Budgeting - Laser Technology ## Benefits - Health Insurance - Dental Insurance - Vision Insurance - Disability Insurance - Life Insurance - Parental Leave - Paid Time Off (Pto) - Sick Leave - 401(k) Plans ## How to Apply [Apply for this position](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/principal-electro-optical-adaptive-optics-engineer-directed-energy-at-xcimer-energy-01a0d921-b678-7219-95fa-af64eefe6d74?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Related - [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown)