Senior Pulsed Power Physicist (Inertial Fusion Energy)

Location: On-site in Denver, Colorado, United States. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, current U.S. permanent residents, or lawfully admitted refugees or asylees.

Salary: $170,000–$200,000 per year.

Company

hirify.global develops inertial fusion energy systems using advanced laser architecture to support global decarbonization.

What you will do

• Develop electron-beam cathode systems for pulsed-power inertial fusion energy applications.
• Lead the design, fabrication, testing, and optimization of cathodes across explosive emission, thermionic, and photocathode technologies.
• Design hibachi foil and anode grid structures to improve beam transport efficiency.
• Build, commission, and lead end-to-end experimental campaigns involving mechanical, electrical, vacuum, and control systems.
• Develop analytical, PIC, and SPICE models for cathode and beam transport design decisions.
• Support cathode integration into larger diode and laser architectures while managing procurement, documentation, and supplier relationships.

Requirements

• PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field; an MS with exceptional relevant experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of industry experience.
• Deep expertise in beam diagnostics, including Faraday cups, beam imaging, energy analysis, and calorimetry.
• Hands-on experience with vacuum electronics, electron-beam generation, UHV vacuum systems, and complex experimental commissioning.
• Familiarity with high-voltage pulsed-power systems of 100 kV or more and laboratory instrumentation such as SMUs, oscilloscopes, and high-voltage power supplies.
• Must satisfy U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, refugee, or asylum-based work authorization requirements.

Nice to have

• Experience with explosive emission or cold cathode technologies.
• Familiarity with semiconductor fabrication processes.
• Experience with PIC or beam optics simulation codes such as Chicago, CST, or COMSOL.
• Background in beam transport optimization, excimer lasers, or inertial fusion energy systems.
• Experience with technical documentation, procurement, scheduling, and vendor coordination.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and paid parental leave.
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 6% and employee equity.
• Flexible paid time off, paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown.
• Benefits eligibility varies by role and includes regular employees, part-time and fixed-term employees, and interns.