Director of Superlaser Operations

About the role

The Energy is a pivotal leadership position charged with the safe, efficient, and high-performance execution of laser shot operations, maintenance procedures, and critical upgrade initiatives for the Phoenix laser system. This role is physically based at our headquarters in Denver, Colorado, placing the candidate at the epicenter of the world's most powerful privately funded laser facility. The successful hire will own the operational integrity of Phoenix, managing a multidisciplinary team of test engineers, engineering leads, and technical technicians through the full cycles of recruitment, professional development, retention, and performance management. You will be the primary authority responsible for establishing, documenting, and enforcing rigorous shot operations standards and processes that govern how experiments are conducted. This leadership mandate involves driving a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring uncompromising execution excellence across every operational workflow, from initial setup to final data delivery. A core accountability is the Phoenix schedule and budget, requiring vigilant oversight of shots per day, system uptime, planned and unplanned maintenance activities, and strict adherence to program timelines.

Furthermore, this position demands the synthesis of hard-won operational lessons learned into actionable insights for the broader organization. You will establish and manage formal feedback mechanisms that translate daily field observations into clear communications for Xcimer design and engineering teams. This closed-loop feedback is critical for ensuring the operability, maintainability, and future evolution of laser systems, turning practical experience into engineered improvements. A key part of the role involves conducting structured gated reviews that capture daily learnings and channel team input effectively into design and procedural updates. The Director will translate complex physics and high-energy phenomena into reliable, repeatable procedures that de-risk experimentation and maximize system potential. This includes defining the intake of shot parameters and real-time hardware status to establish mathematically sound safe operating windows for every Phoenix firing. You will architect and coordinate build routines that synchronize laser modules, precision diagnostics, and multidisciplinary crews to support tightly scheduled and complex test campaigns.

The role carries end-to-end ownership of the safety and execution of laser shot campaigns, with decisions that directly shape how Phoenix hardware evolves over time. Daily choices regarding scope, schedule, and methodology will impact not only immediate timeline integrity but also long-term team growth and the fidelity of data flows to design partners. You will oversee the shipping of operational increments that raise system uptime and shot rates while simultaneously guarding against risk, ensuring reliability, and maintaining profound documentation depth. Partnerships with critical suppliers and internal design teams are essential, and you will forge and nurture these connections to align component delivery with the rigorous cadence of experiment campaigns. Championing continuous improvement means institutionalizing feedback from every Phoenix run, converting raw operational data into structured guidance for hardware and process optimization. Defining standards for shot operations and preventative maintenance, and driving their rigorous adoption across engineers and technicians, are non-negotiable expectations of this role.

Owning the Phoenix schedule and budget includes detailed tracking of upgrades, uptime statistics, and performance against demanding program targets that test the limits of laser reliability. You must ensure strict accountability for both schedule and budget integrity, navigating competing priorities without compromising safety or scientific objectives. This position requires a background in directing complex laser facilities capable of managing high-stakes, high-visibility technical programs. Managing test engineers, leads, and technicians in fast-paced, high-tempo environments is a mandatory requirement for success. A background in inertial fusion energy or high-power laser systems is essential to understand the nuanced risk, safety limits, and measurement needs inherent to the work. Demonstrated success in manufacturing or other large-scale technical programs with strict uptime, safety, and schedule obligations is a strict eligibility bar. Experience with large scientific infrastructure projects where daily decisions have immediate consequences for safety, budget, and technical outcomes is a significant professional advantage.

Key facts regarding this position are as follows. The location for this role is Denver, Colorado. The engagement is structured as a Full-Time position. The compensation range for this role is $190,000 to $230,000 annually, reflecting the scope and responsibility of the position. Proficiency with the Phoenix laser architecture, Inertial Fusion Energy principles, and high-power laser systems is an expected core competency. Practical notes regarding the application process include confirming the specific details outlined in the official description and requirements section.

What you'll do

• Execute the full scope of Director of Superlaser Operations responsibilities as defined in the official position description.
• Adhere strictly to all scope requirements established by Xcimer for the laser operations function.
• Meet the established bar for experience, safety protocols, and technical leadership without exception.
• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, development, and retention of test engineers, engineering leads, and technical technicians.
• Establish and iterate upon shot operations standards and processes to ensure safety, efficiency, and reproducibility.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance Phoenix uptime, shot rates, and overall system reliability.
• Own accountability for the Phoenix operational schedule, budget tracking, and adherence to demanding program targets.
• Oversee upgrade projects from conception through execution, monitoring key operational metrics and risks.
• Monitor and report on critical metrics including shots per day, uptime, and planned versus unplanned maintenance.
• Synthesize operational lessons learned and institutionalize feedback loops for design and engineering teams.
• Establish feedback mechanisms that translate daily field insights into actionable input for hardware and process teams.
• Conduct gated reviews to capture learnings and channel team input effectively into future laser system iterations.
• Translate complex physics and operational data into reliable, repeatable procedures for shot execution.
• Define the intake and validation of shot parameters and hardware status to define safe operating windows.
• Design and coordinate build routines that align laser modules, diagnostics, and crew activities for test campaigns.

Requirements

• Possess a background in inertial fusion energy or high-power laser systems that provides a foundational understanding of risk and safety limits.
• Demonstrate success in manufacturing or large-scale technical programs with strict uptime, safety, and schedule obligations.
• Have direct experience directing complex laser facilities and managing high-tempo operational environments.
• Manage test engineers, leads, and technicians effectively, proving capability in leadership and performance management.
• Understand the implications of daily decisions on schedule integrity, team development, and reliable data flows.
• Ship operational increments that improve uptime and shot rates while maintaining deep documentation and reliability.
• Forge partnerships with suppliers and design teams to align component delivery with experiment schedules.
• Define and drive the adoption of standards for shot operations and maintenance across technical teams.
• Track upgrades, uptime, and adherence against program targets with rigorous accountability for budget integrity.
• Apply experience with large scientific infrastructure where daily decisions impact safety, budget, and technical outcomes.

Nice to have

• Preferred experience with Phoenix laser architecture and inertial fusion energy applications.
• Demonstrated ability to turn operational data into structured feedback for hardware and process teams.

Practical notes

• Hours, travel, visa, or deadlines are not specified in this source document.