Rainier Recruiting is partnering with a a cutting-edge team advancing the future of clean energy. This organization combines decades of scientific research in fusion technology with innovative laser systems to accelerate global progress toward carbon-free power generation. The team includes top engineers, scientists, and industry leaders with a shared mission to deliver scalable, reliable fusion energy solutions.

About the Role

The VP of Laser Fusion Program will lead the planning and execution of a large-scale, billion-dollar engineering initiative — guiding it from concept to completion. This individual will oversee multidisciplinary teams, manage program budgets and schedules, and ensure that technical and operational objectives are met with precision and excellence.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Annual salary: $200,000–$350,000 plus equity (negotiable).
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave (eligibility required at time of birth or adoption).
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with up to 6% company match.
• Generous paid time off: 15 vacation days, 10 paid sick days, and 13 paid holidays annually.
• Equity participation for eligible employees, allowing team members to share in the organization’s growth and success.

Location: This is a full-time, onsite position based in Denver, Colorado. A full relocation package is available for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and direct the strategy, design, and implementation of a major, high-value engineering program aligned with company goals.
• Provide daily leadership to cross-functional technical and design teams, ensuring performance, quality, and alignment across all workstreams.
• Lead efforts in system architecture, requirements definition, and technical conceptualization.
• Oversee program budgets, schedules, and resources, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation plans.
• Report progress to senior stakeholders, highlighting key metrics, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years managing large-scale, complex engineering programs (billion-dollar class preferred) in industries such as advanced manufacturing, nuclear, aerospace, defense, or high-tech.
• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams through full program lifecycles.
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across technical and executive levels.
• Expertise in one or more of the following: nuclear, aerospace, laser, optics, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee in compliance with export control regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a related engineering or scientific field.
• Experience developing and constructing first-of-its-kind or prototype systems.
• Familiarity with compliance, safety, and regulatory frameworks for complex engineering projects.

Who is Rainier Recruiting? 

Rainier Recruiting is a boutique, award winning national staffing agency and executive search firm. Using an approach that “treats every candidate like an executive search”, we offer positions in contract-to-hire, Full-Time, and executive search. Named the #1 Best Workplace in Washington State in 2022, recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm, and identified as a top recruitment firm by multiple business journals, Rainier Recruiting is fast becoming a respected company. We are no longer the “best recruiters you have never heard of”. Rainier Recruiting is also proud to share our clients have a 93% repeat business rate. Rainier Recruiting is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and for the candidates we represent. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of every organization that we partner with.