Shot Director (Senior Test Engineer) - Laser System Operations

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 a Shot Director (Senior Test Engineer), you serve as the senior operational authority for the safe, disciplined, and effective execution of laser shot operations. During assigned shifts, you lead shot execution, coordinating system leads, operators, diagnostics, and safety functions to ensure operational readiness, compliance with operating limits, and successful test outcomes. You collaborate with peer Shot Directors to review and refine experiment requests and execution plans, streamlining scope and workflows to reduce inefficiencies and improve test throughput. Following shot execution, you analyze, review, and present shot data in close collaboration with Science Team customers.

When the facility transitions to maintenance mode, operational authority is formally handed over to the Beamline Lead and Pulsed Power Lead. During these times, you will support the leads as needed with troubleshooting or other work. In addition to leading live shot operations, the Shot Director owns and leads continuous improvement of the shot operations infrastructure, including procedures, operating limits, alerts, operator notes, and checklists that enable safe and repeatable operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of authority for all shot activities during shot operations.
• Lead and execute laser shot operations, including conducting pre-shot readiness reviews and authorizing shot execution, holds, stand-downs.
• Maintain situational awareness during countdowns and shots, responding decisively to anomalies or off-nominal conditions.
• Coordinate system controllers, operators, safety personnel, and experimenters during shot execution.
• Coordinate daily shot schedule with other departments to reduce downtime.
• Manage formal transitions between Operations Mode and Maintenance Mode, including clear handoff of system authority and status to the Beamline Lead and Pulsed Power Lead.
• Lead post-shot reviews, document shot results, and drive resolution of anomalies and lessons learned.
• Own and continuously improve shot operations infrastructure, including procedures, operating limits, alerts, operator notes, checklists, and readiness tools.
• Drive operational discipline, standardization, and continuous improvement across the shot operations program.
• Enforce compliance with safety requirements, operating limits, and configuration controls during shot operations.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 8+ years experience operating or testing complex, high-risk technical systems. (e.g. experience as a Launch Director or Test Engineer/ Test Director)
• Demonstrated experience leading time-critical operations and making sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong systems-thinking skills and experience working across multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
• Must be willing to work a set 8-hour shift with defined start and stop times, and work extended hours during critical operational periods.

Desired

• Master's degree or higher in engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Prior experience as a Test Engineer, Test or Launch Director, Commissioning Lead, or equivalent role.
• Familiarity with laser systems, pulsed power systems, beamline operations, or experimental diagnostics.
• Experience developing operational procedures, checklists, and readiness or certification processes.

$160,000 - $190,000 a year

Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

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 and here.

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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.