Software Engineer

Location: [Virginia / California / Illinois]

Reports To: Director, Accelerator Physics

About xLight

xLight is building the world's most powerful laser to revolutionize semiconductor lithography, metrology, and other critical applications. Our approach harnesses the power of free-electron lasers, building accelerator technology in use globally at scientific user facilities. Extending this technology, we are developing industrial-grade light sources, engineered for continuous operation, to meet the sophisticated demands of next-generation patterning, metrology, and inspection applications. Join us in this new revolution.

We hire exceptional talent — and exceptional means more than a strong résumé. How we achieve results is just as important as the results themselves, which is why attitude and character matter as much as technical skill. We believe great talent is widely distributed, not confined to a particular school or background. We seek individuals who demonstrate ownership, a spirit of collaboration, technical curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn and grow — guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Creativity, and Engineering Excellence. We don't just hire for what someone can do today. We hire for who they are and who they are becoming.

What We Need — and Why It Matters

xLight is seeking a skilled Software Engineer to join our team in developing cutting-edge machine learning systems for particle accelerator control and modeling. Working closely with our team of physicists and ML researchers, you will play a crucial role in advancing autonomous accelerator operations through the development of AI/ML algorithms and software frameworks. This position offers the opportunity to work on a collaborative project with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, focusing on automated startups, control systems, and digital twin technologies for next-generation industrial accelerators.

The ideal candidate will excel in the fast-paced nature of a start-up environment and demonstrate a proactive approach in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team. You will be instrumental in translating research concepts into robust, production-ready software solutions that enable continuous, autonomous operation of complex accelerator systems.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement the virtual accelerator: a simulation service that presents the same control system interface as the physical machine, so startup sequences, control algorithms, and operator tools can be developed and validated without beam time.

• Integrate accelerator physics and Multiphysics codes behind a common interface layer such as LUME, so that models from different groups are versioned, reproducible, and composable rather than divergent.

• Build the digital twin layer that keeps models synchronized with the as-built, as-operated machine — ingesting live and archived telemetry, survey and alignment data, and calibration history, and flagging divergence between model and machine.

• Stand up immersive 3D visualization and engineering collaboration using NVIDIA Omniverse and OpenUSD, connecting CAD and facility models to live simulation and machine data for design review, installation planning, maintenance, and operator training.

• Provide the simulation backend that automated startup, optimization, and machine learning workflows run against, so algorithms developed by physicists can be exercised repeatedly, unattended, and without beam time.

• Build the testing infrastructure around it: scenario replay from archived machine states, regression testing of control algorithms, and software-in-the-loop execution, extending to hardware-in-the-loop benches in support of the controls team.

• Own the supporting infrastructure: containerized deployment, continuous integration, GPU and HPC scheduling, simulation data management, and documentation that makes results reproducible.

• Collaborate with physicists to transform research prototypes into production-ready scientific computing software, ensuring code quality and maintainability.

• Contribute to open-source software ecosystems and tools that can be deployed across scientific user facilities and industrial accelerator environments.

What We Are Looking For

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on scientific computing, machine learning applications, or physics-based systems.
• Proficient in Python programming with emphasis on clean code practices, comprehensive documentation, and unit testing.
• Familiarity with the following Python libraries is desired: numpy, pytorch, pydantic
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows including pull requests and code reviews.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments and cluster computing systems (i.e. SLURM or equivalent).
• Experience with software testing, continuous integration, and deployment practices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective partnership with research teams, external collaborators, and interdisciplinary groups.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced startup environment while maintaining attention to detail and code quality.

And If You Bring This — Even Better

• Experience with physics simulations and computational modeling for accelerator systems.
• Familiarity with national laboratory environments and collaborative research processes.
• Previous experience working with particle accelerators and accelerator physics control systems.

What You Can Expect from Us

• 100% Company-funded health insurance for employee
• Company funded Life Insurance and disability insurance
• 401k contribution. 100% up to 3% of compensation, plus 50% match between 3% and 5%. Immediately vested.
• Flexible Paid Time-Off, Sick leave and Company Holidays
• Company Paid Two-weeks Winter Break
• Flexible Hybrid Work Model
• Chef prepared Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Palo Alto office
• Monthly breakfast, complimentary snacks and beverages at Newport News office

Pay transparency

The pay range for this position reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries at commencement of employment and is expected to be between USD 100,000/year-155,000/year. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including role, job-related knowledge, skills, relevant education and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity, and a full range of benefits. Details of all benefits will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

EEO Statement

xLight Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.