Director of Shot Operations and Maintenance

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing witha track recordof rapid execution. Supported by leading investors,Xcimeris uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change.

Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion!

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.

As the Director of Shot Operations, you will be the functional leader of the organization responsible for executing safe and efficient laser shot operations, maintenance, and upgrade projects. This includes experiments run on Phoenix, the world’s most powerful privately funded laser. You will recruit, develop, retain, and performance manage the test engineers, engineering leads, and technicians that work together to execute this work.

You’ll also be accountable for shot operations standards and processes and infrastructure, leading continuous improvement and execution excellence in these areas.

In addition to serving as the functional leader of the Shot Operations and Maintenance department, you will also serve as the Program Leader for Phoenix operations. You will be accountable for the schedule and budget for Phoenix upgrade projects and for Phoenix operational metrics such as shots per day, uptime, planned/unplanned maintenance, and schedule adherence.

While leading the Shot Operations and Maintenance department, you will ensure collection of operational lessons learned and establish healthy and constructive feedback mechanisms to the Xcimer design teams to ensure the operability and maintainability of Xcimer’s future laser systems. This includes creating mechanisms to capture daily learnings and leading collection of input from the team for gated reviews.

• Lead and directly manage the engineers and technicians in the Shot Operations and Maintenance department
• Build and scale a high-performing organization capable of supporting increasing operational throughput and system complexity
• Ensure effective staffing models and shift structures to support sustained operations
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent, establishing clear roles, expectations, and career paths
• Drive a culture of:
  Operational Accountability and ownership, Safety and operational rigor, Continuous improvement and learning
• Develop and maintain shot operations standards and processes and infrastructure, leading continuous improvement and execution excellence in these areas
• Drive the development, standardization, and governance of:
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Operating limits and readiness processes
  • Maintenance requirements and spares
• Ensure strict adherence to safety standards, operating limits, and regulatory requirements
• Serve as program manager for Phoenix (the world’s most powerful privately funded laser) operations – accountable for the scope, schedule, and budget of Phoenix operations, maintenance and upgrades
• Own integrated planning and execution of shot operations, maintenance campaigns, and major upgrade projects
• Establish and lead the program operating rhythm, including:
  • Program Management Reviews (PMRs)
  • Weekly execution and planning meetings
  • Cross-functional alignment forums
• Track and manage program risks, dependencies, and critical path, ensuring proactive mitigation
• Ensure high-quality data collection, reporting, and communication of operational and program performance
• Own the Phoenix operations and maintenance budget, including:
  • Labor and staffing plans
  • Operational expenses
  • Upgrade and capital expenditures (in partnership with Engineering)
  • Drive cost efficiency while maintaining performance, safety, and schedule commitments
  • Provide regular forecasting, tracking, and reporting against budget
• Drive reduction of technical debt and advocate for design improvements that enhance operability and maintainability
• Create systematic collection of operational lessons learned and mechanisms for constructive feedback to…