About Focused Energy Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of commercializing laser-based inertial confinement fusion energy to help meet the world’s need for a clean, safe, and abundant energy supply. Focused Energy is currently seeking to fill multiple Senior Mechanical Engineer roles within the organization. We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our dynamic laser development team. In this pivotal role, you will spearhead the research, conceptualization, design, analysis, construction, and characterization of advanced high-energy laser systems and their sub-systems. What You Will Build As part of our laser development team, you will design and integrate the mechanical backbone of high-energy laser systems. Your work will directly shape the success of our experiments and future fusion facilities. Specifically, you will: Create precision opto-mechanical assemblies such as mounts, stages, and housings for large optics. Engineer vacuum and high-voltage modules including chambers, flanges, and cooling interfaces. Develop thermal management systems (water/air cooling, heat exchangers, fluidic circuits). Build motion and alignment mechanisms capable of nano- to micrometer-precision positioning. Design and assemble prototype fixtures and test rigs to validate performance under thermal, vibration, and vacuum conditions. What You Will Do In addition to building the hardware, you will take ownership of the full mechanical design cycle and provide senior-level leadership by: Translating high-level requirements into practical system architectures and CAD models. Driving end-to-end design: drafting, analysis (static & modal FEA, hand calcs), procurement, assembly, and test. Collaborating with scientists, electrical and controls engineers to integrate multi-disciplinary hardware. Preparing and presenting design reviews to stakeholders across science and management. Managing supplier interactions: specifications, data transfer, inspection, and qualification. Guiding and mentoring junior engineers and contractors, ensuring best practices and knowledge sharing. Who You Are Must-Have Qualifications Education : Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s/PhD a plus). Experience : 10 years in mechanical/optomechanical design, with end-to-end lifecycle ownership (concept → CAD → prototype → test). CAD expertise : Autodesk Inventor (preferred) or SolidWorks. Precision mechanics : vacuum systems, optical mounts, motion control, high-accuracy assemblies. Manufacturing knowledge : machining, sheet metal, welding, DFM. Analysis & validation : static/modal FEA, tolerance analysis, GD&T. Hands-on prototyping & testing in R&D settings. Professional English (spoken/written). Nice-to-Have Qualifications German language skills (advantage with suppliers/partners). Laser systems experience : high-power/high-energy design & testing. Cleanroom, high-voltage, or ultra-high vacuum (UHV) background. Familiarity with PDM systems (Autodesk Vault preferred). Industry experience in semiconductors, optics, telescopes, or similar. Mentorship/leadership of junior engineers or contractors. Why Work With Us? This is a full-time, hybrid, senior level position at our office in Darmstadt, Germany. We are a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-lingual team of highly skilled professionals working towards a common goal: Making fusion energy a reality. Join us and become a key player in driving the future of laser technology, where your expertise will directly impact the development of groundbreaking systems and applications. Become Part of the Solution! You’ll join a fast-moving, multicultural team building first-of-its-kind fusion laser systems. The role offers: A chance to own critical, visible hardware in a high-impact project. End-to-end design responsibility (not a sustainment role). Direct collaboration with world-class laser scientists and engineers. Join us and become a key player in driving the future of laser technology, where your expertise will directly impact the development of groundbreaking systems and applications! What we offer: Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery. Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career. Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges. Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company. Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together. Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year. Flexibility: We believe work should adapt to your life—not the other way around. That’s why we offer a hybrid setup, giving you the freedom to work from our office while also enjoying the flexibility to work from home when it suits you. Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a subsidized canteen with delicious lunch options daily. Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 15% on top of your monthly contributions. Equipment: Choose between a state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptop. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1. Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace. Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle. Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub. 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.