Vacuum Engineer

About the Company

Focused Energy is the leading laser-driven fusion company, pursuing the most promising path to clean, limitless fusion power. With locations in Darmstadt, Germany, and the San Francisco Bay Area, we bring together top scientific and engineering minds to unlock commercially viable fusion energy using proven technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and specify vacuum systems for small experimental setups, medium-scale systems, and large-scale infrastructure
• Define vacuum system requirements including pressure ranges, pump-down times, and leak rates
• Perform calculations for conductance, outgassing, pump sizing, and transient pump-down behavior
• Select and specify pumps, valves, gauges, seals, and feedthroughs
• Integrate vacuum systems into laser systems, beam transport, and diagnostic equipment
• Support assembly, installation, commissioning, and leak testing procedures
• Develop operating procedures and maintenance plans to enhance system reliability

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• 3–10+ years of experience working with vacuum systems
• Proven experience in both laboratory/experimental and large/industrial vacuum systems
• Strong understanding of vacuum physics, flow regimes, and outgassing
• Expertise in pump technologies and sealing methods (CF, KF, ISO)
• Ability to read and produce engineering drawings using CAD tools like Inventor
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and managing technical specifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-energy physics, fusion, semiconductor, or laser systems
• Familiarity with cleanroom environments and UHV/XHV systems
• Knowledge of large or complex distributed vacuum systems
• Familiarity with chemical or particulate vacuum cleanliness testing (RGA, NVR)