Head of Diagnostics Physics (Imaging and Spectroscopy)

Location: On-site at the headquarters in Denver, Colorado, United States

Salary: $200,000–$225,000 per year

Company

hirify.global develops inertial fusion energy systems using advanced laser architectures to support clean power generation and global decarbonization.

What you will do

• Build, lead, and scale the Diagnostics Physics department, including hiring, mentoring, and developing multidisciplinary scientific teams.
• Develop imaging and spectroscopy concepts, models, simulation frameworks, analysis tools, calibration standards, and validation infrastructure.
• Design diagnostic systems that operate reliably under radiation, neutron bombardment, electromagnetic interference, vacuum, mechanical, and thermal loads.
• Partner with Controls, DAQ, laser, target design, pulsed power, nuclear, manufacturing, and operations teams to integrate diagnostic capabilities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies from universities and national laboratories and oversee external validation campaigns.
• Establish scientific best practices, documentation standards, design reviews, quality expectations, and risk-mitigation strategies.

Requirements

• MS in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experimental experience in imaging, spectroscopy, laser experiments, plasma diagnostics, or complex optical, X-ray, or neutron diagnostic systems.
• Deep experience with simulation and modeling for beam propagation, laser–matter interaction, radiation transport, nonlinear optics, and diagnostic performance.
• Experience designing, executing, and analyzing complex imaging, spectroscopic, or fusion experiments.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and development of multidisciplinary scientific or R&D organizations.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee or person granted asylum.

Nice to have

• Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience with nonlinear optics, X-ray imaging and spectroscopy, neutron diagnostics, plasma or gas kinetics, and interferometric systems.
• Experience developing industrial optical, X-ray, or neutron diagnostic equipment, free-space pulsed laser systems, vacuum systems, phase optics, precision optical manufacturing, or metrology.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus 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 eligible employee equity.
• Flexible paid time off, paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown.
• Fast-moving environment transitioning from startup development to industrial scale.