Performance Engineer at Focused in Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply. We are seeking a Performance Engineer to help elevate Systems Engineering by further and LDRS system performance here at Focused energy. This role focuses on the system level, combining customer and internal requirements into a highly functioning usable system. This individual will provide end‑to‑end ownership to define, maintain, and verify performance across the full product lifecycle. What you'll do: Own System Performance Across Product LifeCycle: - Define and maintain system level performance driven baselines (including neutron and x-ray output power, reproducibility, beam pointing and positioning, tolerances, stability, sensitivities). - Collaborate closely with customers and suppliers to derive future product requirements and translate them into system specifications. Assess System Stability and Sensitivities: - Develop and apply system-level models to analyze sensitivities to mechanical tolerances, thermal effects, and environmental and seismic influences. - Use Statistical methods (e.g. MonteCarlo) to quantify performance margins - Feed derived constraints and tradeoffs back into performance, layout, and integration baselines. - Maintain the necessary performance budgets on system level and break down requirements into component specifications. Lead Performance Driven Requirement Engineering in System Engineering: - Translate performance-driven requirements into specifications for realizable, verifiable and serializable system architectures. - Drive milestones and design reviews focused on performance maturity. - Contribute to engineering frameworks, documentation standards, and cross-functional processes. Drive Performance Verification and Validation: - Define performance verification and validation strategy. - Establish traceability from system performance objectives through subsystem requirements to verification plans and test results. Collaborate Across Disciplines: - Provide integration leadership by ensuring alignment across disciplines (mechanical, layout, laser, vacuum, controls, safety, operations) and ensure consistency of empirical integration data with functional and physical baselines from a performance perspective. Bridge Research to Industrialization: - Support the transfer of experimental concepts into stable, reliable and scalable systems. - Govern configuration control and evaluate change impacts on performance-related system aspects. - Support the implementation of Systems Engineering and Performance methodologies across the organization. - Drive clear and transparent decision-making. Who you are: - 5+ years developing large, integrated, complex interdisciplinary systems within complex environments (e.g., high-power lasers, semiconductor, accelerator, nuclear, medical devices, or advanced manufacturing). - Advanced Degree in Physics or Mechanical Engineering, related or equivalent education and experience. - Solid expertise in system level modeling & analysis (e.g. MATLAB, python), including tolerance, sensitivity and stability analysis using statistical methods (e.g. Monte-Carlo). - Experience with CAD literacy, FEM-tools (e.g. ANSYS) and optical simulation (e.g. Zemax) is highly beneficial for interpreting layout-driven performance impacts. - Experience with system performance integration and scalability of large engineering systems is highly beneficial. - Fluency in English required; German proficiency is a strong plus. What we offer: - Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery. - Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges, and shaping the future of our company. - Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success. - Flexibility: We offer a hybrid setup, giving you the freedom to work from our office while also enjoying the flexibility to work from home when it suits you. - Vacation Days: We support your work-life balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year. - Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy healthy snacks and drinks, and a subsidized canteen with delicious lunch options daily. - Mobility & Fitness: We partner with NAVIT for flexible commuting needs and Wellhub for access to gyms and wellness services across Europe. - Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, share ideas, and have fun together. 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. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.