Project Manager, Laser (f/m/d)

Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion. Backed by our $240M Series A — the largest fully secured Series A in the global fusion industry — we are scaling rapidly across multiple geographies.

Based in Germany and the US, we have brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to realize game-changing scientific innovation that promises to deliver a clean, sustainable and abundant source of power globally.

Your Role

As Project Manager on the Laser team, you will drive alignment across complex, multi-partner projects within our laser and optical component development programs. You will be responsible for collaborative projects with external partners from academia and industry. You will also help to establishand strengthen internal project management standards across Focused Energy and the Laser organization.

What You'll Do

• Manage external research and development projects in collaboration with public and private partners, from proposal or kickoff through execution, reporting, and close-out

• Develop and execute the development strategy for optical and laser components with stakeholders across laser leadership, technical project teams, finance, and business development

• Drive structured program and project planning, status tracking, meeting cadences, action follow-up, and transparent communication across a complex, multi-project environment

• Support proposals and execution of publicly funded projects by maintaining reporting discipline, and ensuring alignment with partner and funding requirements

• Align and report on program and project status to for both division and enterprise-level stakeholders

• Collaborate closely with scientists and engineering teams, building technical depth to understand dependencies, challenge assumptions, and help remove execution roadblocks

• Contribute to establishing and improving internal project management standards, tools, and best practices within the Laser organization and beyond

• Coordinate with company-wide PM efforts to ensure compliance with broader Focused Energy project management practices

• Represent Focused Energy with external partners (institutional, industrial, funding agency); expect regular travel within Germany (approximately 6 trips per year)

Who You Are

Must-haves

• Excellent degree in STEM or a related field (engineering, physics, natural sciences, or another STEM discipline)

• Outstanding track record (e.g., academic performance, honors, competitive scholarships, or equivalent achievements in research, engineering, or personal projects)

• Experience managing projects or workstreams in technically complex environments, with the ability to structure plans, milestones, risks, decisions, and reporting across multiple parallel topics

• Ability to operate successfully in a complex multi-project environment with many stakeholders and dependencies, including the ability to prioritize and optimize processes

• Confidence working with project management tools, documentation, and structured follow-up

• High affinity for close collaboration with scientists and engineering teams, paired with curiosity and willingness to dive into new topics

• Strong problem-solving attitude, ownership mindset, and structured way of working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and confidence in stakeholder management across technical and non-technical interfaces, in both German and English

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in publicly funded research or development projects

• Exposure to project management standards, processes, or PMO build-up activities

• Experience working with external research, industrial, or ecosystem partners

• Interest in laser technology, advanced engineering, or fusion-related development

• Experience with project management tools such as Jira or MS Project

What We Offer

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.

• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.

• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.

• 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 and ownership in what we build together.

• 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 our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a canteen with delicious lunch options daily.

• Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 20% on top of your monthly contributions, plus loyalty incentives.

• Equipment: We offer state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptops. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.

• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.

• Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle.

• Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub.

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.