Laser Engineer

About the Role

As a Laser Engineer, you'll design, build, and maintain the laser systems that trigger and diagnose Fuse's pulsed-power machines at our San Leandro facility.

This is hands-on work: aligning and maintaining precision optical systems, developing laser triggering and diagnostic capabilities for high-energy-density experiments, and troubleshooting real hardware on a fast-moving test schedule.

Core Responsibilities

• Design, build, align, and maintain precision laser systems used for triggering and diagnostics on pulsed-power experiments.
• Develop and improve laser-based diagnostic techniques, including timing, triggering, and optical diagnostics.
• Troubleshoot optical and laser hardware to keep experimental systems operating and experiments on schedule.
• Work with physics and electrical engineering teams to integrate laser systems with the broader pulsed-power platform.
• Develop and maintain safe operating procedures for high-power laser systems and train team members on proper use.
• Document system designs, alignment procedures, and troubleshooting methods.

Minimum Qualifications

• Hands-on experience designing, building, or maintaining laser systems in a research or industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of optics, laser physics, and precision alignment techniques.
• Experience working directly with high-power laser or optical hardware in a lab or test environment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-moving experimental environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with laser triggering or diagnostics for pulsed-power, fusion, or high-energy-density physics experiments.
• Experience with high-power optical systems and laser-safety programs.
• Experience in a national lab, defense, aerospace, fusion, or similar research environment.

What We Value

• Give a shit. Build things you're proud of.
• Take responsibility. If something is broken and you can fix it, fix it. See things through.
• Move fast. Make decisions, learn quickly, and keep moving forward.
• Think bigger. Simplify relentlessly. Don't default to the safe answer.
• Disagree and commit. The best idea wins. Once a decision is made, we move.
• Desire to win. This is hard. Expect intensity. We are here to win.
• Plan B is to make Plan A work.

Additional Requirements

• This is an onsite position at Fuse's Napierville facility and requires relocation if not already local.
• Ability to work extended hours when experimental schedules require it.
• Ability and willingness to travel to other Fuse facilities as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Relocation assistance for roles that require it.
• Flexible time off. Take what you need, no accrual tracking.
• 2 weeks of paid time off built into the end of each year, subject to team and business needs.
• Supportive leave of absence policies.
• Paid leave for new parents.

Itar Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.