IFE Program Director

Denver, CO
Engineering – Engineering Operations /
Full-Time /
On-site

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.

This role is responsible for the overall program scope, technical integration, schedule, budget, risk management, and delivery of Xcimer’s IFE Program. The IFE Program Director coordinates multidisciplinary teams spanning fusion physics, targets, laser, chamber, fuel cycle, controls, infrastructure, and other support subsystems to ensure that individual workstreams converge into a coherent, achievable design and development roadmap.

Working closely with company leadership and department directors, the Program Director establishes program priorities, allocates resources, resolves cross-functional issues, and drives timely, evidence-based decisions.

The successful candidate combines technical understanding of fusion energy systems with demonstrated leadership in complex, multidisciplinary technology development programs and the ability to translate ambitious technical objectives into executable plans and measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities:

  • Oversee and accountable for the design, planning, and execution strategy of a large-scale, billion-dollar class program, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
  • Provide day-to-day leadership to matrixed engineering, science and operations teams, maintaining technical integrity and quality standards.
  • Lead IFE system architecture, from early-stage concept development through engineering design, technology maturation, construction readiness, commissioning, and operational demonstration.
  • Manage project budgets, resource allocation, and schedules, implementing proactive risk mitigation and reporting on performance metrics.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders, communicating program status, risks, critical path activities, key dependencies, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
  • Lead resolution of cross-disciplinary technical issues and trade-offs involving performance, cost, reliability, maintainability, safety, and schedule.
  • Ensure that design assumptions, technology development activities, and engineering analyses are consistent across the program.
  • Work with element leads and technical authorities to establish appropriate design maturity, validation requirements, and evidence-based readiness assessments.
  • Establish effective program governance, reporting, configuration management, change control, and decision-making processes.
  • Ensure that near-term technical and engineering decisions support the long-term commercial deployment strategy.

Qualifications:

  • Education: MS in physics, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering or related technical field.
  • Experience: 15+ years leading large, complex programs (billion-dollar scale preferred) within an engineering-intensive environment (semiconductor, laser, nuclear, space and defense, etc.).
  • Proven track record of guiding large-scale technical teams through all phases of technical program delivery.
  • Demonstrated success translating technical objectives into integrated program plans with measurable milestones, budgets, schedules, and accountable owners.
  • Experience coordinating multiple technical disciplines and managing complex system interfaces and dependencies.
  • Strong understanding of systems engineering, technology maturation, technical risk management, and engineering design reviews.
  • Experience managing program budgets, resource allocation, external contracts, and executive-level reporting.
  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
  • 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 or granted asylum

Desired:

  • Ph.D. in a relevant engineering field.
  • Experience in fusion energy development, nuclear technology, advanced energy systems, or another highly complex, capital-intensive technology program.
  • Experience with pilot plants, first-of-a-kind facilities, prototype systems, or integrated technology demonstrations.
  • Familiarity with fusion plant architectures, including major subsystems such as the laser driver, targets, chamber, and fusion fuel cycle.
  • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks for high-value engineering projects.
$187,000 - $220,000 a year
Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.
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
Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success.
Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.