Cryogenics Engineer (f/m/d)

Company Overview

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. We are driving the next chapter of economic growth and scientific innovation through the widespread adoption of clean, abundant fusion energy.

Role Overview

As a Cryogenics Engineer (f/m/d), you will play a critical role in designing, modeling, and optimizing advanced cryogenic thermal and fluid systems for commercial-scale fusion energy solutions. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop, simulate, and validate experimental designs, guiding the roadmap toward efficient and scalable clean energy.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and build complex cryogenic thermal and fluids models; simulate and validate experimental designs, help guide technological roadmaps, and ultimately develop integrated thermal/fluids analysis models for commercial-scale systems.

• Use simulation tools to model thermal behavior, ensure cooling performance, and optimize cryogenic system design.

• Continuously improve and iterate analysis models to assess material behavior at low temperatures, working closely with a team of cryogenic engineers.

• Perform sensitivity, optimization, and goal-driven analysis cycles to improve system design.

• Collaborate with all Targetry sub-teams to define system requirements and deliver integrated analysis packages.

• Lead project workstreams from concept to commissioning; mentor junior engineers, manage timelines, and ensure technical excellence.

Who you are:

• 3–5 years (or equivalent PhD research) performing integrated thermal and fluids analysis involving cryogenic systems (experience with hydrogen preferred).

• MSc or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.

• Strong background in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.

• Proficient in thermal analysis using software (e.g., Thermal Desktop, COMSOL, etc) to anchor the analysis to actual hardware.

• Familiarity with hydrogen systems, vacuum systems, and cryogenic technologies.

• Familiarity with solid, liquid, and gas phase change.

• Skilled in instrumentation, sensors, and control logic for temperature, pressure, and flow in cold environments.

• Hands-on skills in building test rigs, debugging systems, and performing low-temperature measurements to support model validation is a plus.

• Comfortable working across disciplines, able to coordinate with multiple engineering and science teams.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.