Laser Engineer

About Fuse We are building one of the most potentially consequential companies of the century. Our mission is to accelerate the world's transition to fusion energy while safeguarding humankind. This is not a normal company. This is not a normal job. We are committed for the long term to win.

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.

Equal Opportunity Fuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Fuse is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, ancestry, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Compensation Range: $110K - $160K