The posting
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 with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is 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 a Senior Technical Recruiter – Science & Research, you will own full-lifecycle recruiting for Xcimer's Science organization, helping build a world-class team of physicists, scientists, and researchers advancing the future of fusion energy.
This role will focus primarily on recruiting PhD-level scientists and highly specialized technical talent across disciplines such as plasma physics, computational physics, theoretical physics, laser physics, fusion science, and other advanced research fields. You will partner closely with scientific leadership to understand complex technical requirements, develop creative sourcing strategies, and identify exceptional talent across national laboratories, research universities, and advanced technology organizations.
We are looking for a highly resourceful, intellectually curious recruiter who enjoys solving difficult talent challenges, thrives in niche technical markets, and can build meaningful relationships with some of the world's leading scientific minds. The ideal candidate combines strong sourcing and research capabilities with a consultative approach to recruiting and a passion for helping build teams tackling ambitious scientific challenges.
Responsibilities
- Own full-lifecycle recruiting for Xcimer's Science organization, with a primary focus on PhD-level physicists, research scientists, computational scientists, and other highly specialized technical positions.
- Develop and execute creative sourcing strategies to identify and engage scientific talent across national laboratories, research institutions, universities, fusion energy companies, and other advanced technology organizations.
- Build and maintain deep talent pipelines within niche scientific disciplines, including plasma physics, theoretical and computational physics, fusion science, and related research fields.
- Partner closely with scientific leadership and hiring managers to understand complex technical requirements, translate specialized research needs into effective search strategies, and establish clear candidate evaluation criteria.
- Conduct targeted talent research and market mapping to identify relevant research groups, laboratories, academic programs, publications, and emerging scientific talent.
- Develop compelling candidate engagement strategies tailored to highly specialized scientific audiences, effectively communicating Xcimer's mission, research opportunities, and technical challenges.
- Build relationships with scientists and researchers across academia, government laboratories, and industry to establish long-term talent networks and referral pipelines.
- Facilitate structured interview processes, including partnering with scientific stakeholders, coordinating interview teams, and leading debrief discussions to support thoughtful and consistent candidate evaluation.
- Manage offer development, negotiation, and closing strategies, including navigating the unique motivations and career considerations of candidates transitioning from academic or government research environments into industry.
- Serve as a trusted recruiting advisor to scientific leadership, providing insights into talent availability, competitive research organizations, candidate expectations, and recruiting market dynamics.
- Deliver an exceptional candidate experience throughout the recruiting process, building credibility and trust with highly accomplished technical professionals.
- Continuously improve sourcing strategies, recruiting workflows, and talent intelligence to strengthen Xcimer's ability to attract and hire exceptional scientific talent.
- Support broader Talent Acquisition initiatives, including university partnerships, scientific talent pipeline development, and recruiting process improvements.
- Recruit for engineering, operations, and corporate functions as needed.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Experience: 5+ years of full-lifecycle technical recruiting experience, including experience sourcing and recruiting highly specialized technical, engineering, or scientific talent.
- Demonstrated ability to identify, engage, and recruit difficult-to-find technical talent through proactive sourcing, talent research, and creative outreach strategies.
- Experience recruiting within complex technical environments such as scientific research, aerospace, defense, fusion energy, advanced energy, national laboratories, or other deep-tech industries.
- Ability to learn and understand highly technical concepts and effectively partner with subject matter experts to translate complex requirements into actionable recruiting strategies.
- Strong research and sourcing capabilities, including experience identifying talent beyond traditional LinkedIn searches through alternative sourcing channels, professional networks, and industry research.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships with hiring managers and technical leaders, providing consultative guidance throughout the recruiting process.
- Experience managing multiple specialized searches simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail, organization, and candidate engagement.
- Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), preferably Lever.
- Experience using recruiting analytics, talent market intelligence, and reporting to inform hiring strategies.
- Strong understanding of compensation structures, offer development, and candidate negotiation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with highly technical audiences.
- Strong problem-solving skills, intellectual curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to explore unfamiliar technical disciplines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Passion for building exceptional teams and delivering a high-quality candidate experience.
- Must be willing to work onsite at our Denver, CO facility.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum
Desired
- Direct experience recruiting PhD-level physicists, research scientists, computational scientists, or other advanced scientific talent.
- Experience recruiting within national laboratories, academic research institutions, fusion energy, plasma physics, high-energy-density physics, or other highly specialized scientific disciplines.
- Familiarity with scientific research communities, academic career paths, research publications, conferences, and professional networks used to identify and engage scientific talent.
- Experience sourcing candidates through scientific publications, research databases, academic departments, conference proceedings, and professional associations.
- Established relationships or recruiting networks within national laboratories, research universities, or advanced scientific organizations.
- Experience recruiting candidates transitioning from academia or government research into commercial industry.
- Prior experience in a startup or high-growth technology company.
- Familiarity with equity compensation and stock option programs at early-stage companies.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Benefits
Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success.
Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.
