Principal Electro-Optical/Adaptive Optics Engineer, Fusion Systems
Core
Technical authority for adaptive optics within inertial fusion energy beamlines, leading system architecture, performance modeling, and vendor integration to ensure energy-on-target.
Role type
Principal IC electro-optical/adaptive optics engineer (fusion systems)
Builds
High-speed custom adaptive optics systems for fusion beamlines
Domain
Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) / High-power laser systems
Required skills
Adaptive optics system architecture, wave-optics propagation modeling, error budget decomposition, deformable mirror and wavefront sensor specification, real-time control loop design, vendor technical management, trade study analysis
Preferred skills
Experience with deep-UV optics, high-repetition-rate laser systems, opto-mechanical jitter mitigation
Technologies
Deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors, reconstructors, real-time control loops
Responsibilities
Define system-level requirements and performance budgets for adaptive optics; build and maintain end-to-end performance models including disturbance modeling; lead trade studies and architecture decisions for correction topology and sensing; manage vendor relationships, procurements, and acceptance testing; define proof-of-concept experiments and direct technical teams to execute them; ensure designs meet reliability and operability requirements.
Seniority
Principal, hands-on IC with group-building responsibilities