Controls Engineer
Inertia
Software Engineering
Livermore, CA, USA
Posted on Jan 6, 2026
Location
Livermore
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Design and Engineering
Overview:
We are seeking innovative Controls Engineers to advance high power laser system design and testing capabilities for Inertia’s fusion energy program as part of a fast-moving team. A key element is development of the world’s highest average power pulsed lasers, which will form the ‘unit cell’ of our power plant. In partnership with industry, government and academia, we will build a demonstrator beamline to deliver 10 kJ at 10 Hz with 10% wall-plug efficiency using diode-pumped solid state laser technology (DPSSL).
These positions initially involve the design of high-power test facilities, subsequent co-design of the integrated beamline systems, and its coupling to high velocity targets.
Primary Responsibilities:
Develop creative solutions for low-latency, real-time measurement, feedback and control systems for high power laser alignment and interaction.
Design, build and deliver control systems for a wide range of laboratory test facilities: high energy lasers, semiconductor diode testing, optics metrology, etc.
Create custom solutions for data acquisition and analysis
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or greater in relevant field
5+ yrs experience in control systems design and specification, using tools such as LabVIEW, EPICS, or similar
Hands-on experience integrating controls hardware and software for complex instrumentation
Salary & Benefits:
We offer market-competitive compensation and an excellent benefits program, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, company-paid holidays, matching 401k, and more!
About Inertia:
Inertia is taking the most direct, scientifically-proven path to commercializing fusion, leveraging the only successful achievement of fusion ignition, using a process that was pioneered at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). With groundbreaking innovation, transformative technology, and multi-year investment, Inertia is committed to commercializing fusion energy in the next decade.