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Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion, backed by a $240M Series A—the largest fully secured Series A in the global fusion industry. The company operates from bases in Germany and the US, bringing together top scientific and engineering talent to unlock fusion power at commercial scale.
As a Controls Software Engineer, you will be a core member of the software team supporting the company's Test & Technology Evaluation (TTE) efforts. Your primary mission is to design, implement, test, and deploy production-quality software features that enable reliable automated calibration, image processing, data handling, supervisory control, and human-machine interface (HMI) capabilities. You will work independently on well-scoped features from design through deployment, collaborating closely with software, controls, systems, and other engineers to define interfaces, review code, and address failure modes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design, implement, test, and deploy well-scoped features independently
- Implement automated calibration software for hardware and machine workflows
- Build image processing software for target tracking, calibration, and engagement
- Implement reliable data handling, storage, logging, and basic monitoring for machine and image data
- Help implement supervisory control systems and their human-machine interfaces
- Work with technical partners to translate machine and engineering needs into practical software solutions
- Align software interfaces and test plans with stakeholders; communicate progress, trade-offs, risks, and timelines clearly
You will be part of a dynamic, international team of top-tier scientists and engineers passionate about solving global challenges in clean energy and scientific discovery. The role offers ownership from day one, the opportunity to shape the future of a cutting-edge company, and direct equity stake through stock options.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must-Haves:
- Experience building and testing production software in a team environment
- Ability to independently own moderately complex, well-scoped features from design through deployment
- Strong coding practices: clean, readable, documented code with source control and code review discipline
- Understanding of automated testing, debugging, logging, and common software failure modes
- Ability to work with technical partners to translate machine or engineering needs into practical software
- Willingness to use approved AI-assisted development tools responsibly, with thorough review of all generated work
Nice-to-Haves:
- Experience with computer vision or image processing
- Experience with automated calibration, robotics, motion systems, or precision hardware
- Experience with data pipelines, machine data formats, databases, or high-volume data storage
- Experience with supervisory control systems, HMI development, or controls-adjacent software
- Background working with hardware, experimental systems, scientific equipment, or real-time systems
