Xcimer Energy is a fusion energy company focused on commercializing laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, which it describes as the only scientifically validated form of fusion energy. The company is developing high-energy excimer laser systems designed to ignite fusion reactions using fuel derived from seawater and lithium, with the goal of delivering safe, clean, and affordable electricity that is cost-competitive with fossil fuels and renewables. Its mission centers on decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence infrastructure, desalination, and industrial processes that require firm, always-on, carbon-free power.
Xcimer's technical approach relies on electron-beam-pumped excimer lasers combined with a pulse compression technique called Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), which compresses microsecond laser pulses to nanosecond durations without damaging optics. In 2024 the company broke ground on Phoenix, its first prototype high-energy laser system, located in Denver, Colorado, and announced the start of its operations in June 2026. Phoenix is the first electron-beam-pumped excimer laser built in the private sector in more than two decades and validates key elements of the company's low-cost laser fusion architecture.
Xcimer's longer-term target is Athena, which it describes as the world's first laser fusion power plant, expected to deliver 400 megawatts of continuous clean energy by 2035. The company has received a U.S. Department of Energy approval of its fusion power plant preconceptual design and technology roadmap milestone, and collaborates with industrial partners such as TRUMPF Laser SE. With a team of nearly 200 engineers, physicists, and business professionals, Xcimer positions itself as the most technically mature private laser fusion company.
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.
As a Principal Manufacturing Development Engineer, you will be responsible for developing automated equipment and manufacturing processes that enable reliable, repeatable production at increasing volumes. You will take ownership of automated manufacturing projects from concept through deployment, working closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, quality, facilities, and systems engineering partners. This role requires a hands-on engineer who is comfortable moving between design, prototyping, implementation, and troubleshooting in a fast-moving development environment.
This position offers the opportunity to significantly influence manufacturing capability, throughput, and system reliability across multiple hardware platforms critical to fusion energy development.
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
Benefits Employee Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave (must be employed at time of birth or adoption), short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Paid Time Off: 15 days per year based on weekly scheduled hours, 10 paid sick leave, and 13 company-paid holidays for all regular employees (including part-time), fixed-term, and interns. Equity will be granted to eligible employees. Equity is designed to allow employees to share in company results and success.
Responsibilities
Develop Advanced Automated Manufacturing Equipment: Lead the design and implementation of automated manufacturing systems incorporating industrial robotics, motion systems, sensing, and vision technologies. Define system architectures that prioritize reliability, scalability, and maintainability.
Controls and System Integration: Support controls engineers, who will develop and integrate electrical and controls systems using industrial PLCs, standard communication protocols, and HMI platforms. Support data acquisition and performance monitoring to evaluate and improve system behavior. Work with controls engineers to integrate industrial robotic systems to improve consistency, precision, and production efficiency within automated manufacturing cells.
Mechanical Design and DFM Support: Design mechanical components and assemblies using 3D CAD and GD&T principles. Generate detailed fabrication drawings and provide design-for-manufacturing feedback to improve automation performance and robustness.
Risk and Failure Analysis: Conduct product and process failure analyses, including DFMEA and PFMEA, to identify risks, implement mitigations, and support high system uptime.
Project and Program Ownership: Plan and execute multiple projects simultaneously by setting milestones, tracking progress, managing risks, and coordinating cross-functional resources. Support the development of internal processes that enable predictable delivery.
Manufacturing Process Optimization: Evaluate and improve automated manufacturing workflows by analyzing cycle times, material flow, automation ROI, and work-in-process buffering to support consistent production output.
Technical Documentation and Handover: Create comprehensive documentation including electrical and pneumatic schematics, bills of materials, maintenance documentation, spare parts lists, and troubleshooting guides to support long-term operation.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Collaborate with EHS stakeholders to perform risk assessments, define personal safety requirements, and integrate appropriate guarding.
Supplier and Integrator Management: Work with procurement and external vendors to develop RFQs, define technical specifications, manage build and installation phases, and lead factory and site acceptance testing for robots, cobots, palletizers, and other actuated parts of the production line. Support and coordinate with controls engineers who will own controls hardware definition and procurement.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
Experience: 7+ years of experience in production line development
Demonstrated experience integrating industrial robotic systems
Strong mechanical design capability using SolidWorks, including GD&T and drawing release for automated equipment
Experience delivering manufacturing robotics or capital equipment projects from concept through commissioning, with proficiency using tools such as Jira or equivalent project tracking systems
Background in manufacturing optimization using Lean principles, Six Sigma tools, and structured problem-solving methodologies
Experience integrating machine vision systems, sensors, and closed-loop feedback for precision automation
Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop technical specifications and collaborate effectively across disciplines
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 of granted asylum
