IT Systems Engineer (f/m/d)

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is a global leader in laser-driven fusion, setting the standard for clean and limitless energy. With locations in Berlin, Darmstadt, and the San Francisco Bay Area, we unite leading experts in science and engineering to unlock the potential of commercially viable fusion energy using proven technologies. Our mission: deliver clean, safe, and virtually unlimited energy to the world — and every team member, including IT, is key to that vision.

The Role

Our German operations are expanding rapidly, and we’re seeking an IT Systems Engineer to ensure our Berlin infrastructure remains reliable, secure, and efficient. You’ll own our IT environment — including device management, endpoint security, cloud infrastructure, and automation tools — so our scientists and engineers can focus on building the future of energy.

This is a hands-on ownership role, not a traditional support position. While end-user support is part of the job, your primary responsibility is system reliability and improvement. You’ll work as part of a small, collaborative team, reporting to the Senior IT Manager, and coordinate regularly with colleagues in Darmstadt and across our global IT organization.

What You’ll Do

Own the Berlin IT Environment

• Operate and maintain IT systems and infrastructure: MDM, endpoint security tooling, cloud services, and device lifecycle, ensuring reliability, compliance, and up-to-date operation.

• Uphold and continually improve security: enforce MFA, manage endpoint hardening, complete access reviews, and respond to security events within defined procedures.

• Collaborate with Darmstadt colleagues and the Senior IT Manager to ensure consistent operation of shared systems.

Drive Automation and Continuous Improvement

• Lead automation and scripting efforts, identifying and eliminating repetitive manual tasks to improve consistency and reduce operational overhead.

• Proactively identify gaps, propose solutions, and contribute to IT projects such as cloud migration, DLP implementation, EDR rollout, and unified device management.

• Develop and maintain clear and comprehensive IT documentation, ensuring easy and effective knowledge transfer across the team.

Manage Device and Access Lifecycle

• Own onboarding and offboarding execution, from account provisioning and device readiness to access management and revocation, working closely with People Operations.

• Keep all devices enrolled in MDM, tracked, and patched according to schedule.

Support Berlin Employees

• Handle end-user support as a secondary function, resolving tech issues efficiently and professionally — every interaction showcases the quality of our IT team.

What You’ll Bring

Technical Skills

• Practical experience with endpoint management and MDM platforms such as Microsoft Intune (or equivalent), across Windows and macOS.

• Hands-on proficiency with endpoint security tools: EDR, DLP, patch management, vulnerability remediation, and device hardening.

• Solid knowledge of identity and access management (MFA, provisioning, access review, and revocation processes).

• Strong grasp of Microsoft 365 (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint) and familiarity with a modern SaaS stack (Box, Atlassian Jira/Confluence).

• Scripting and automation skills (PowerShell, Python, or equivalent), with a record of automating operational tasks.

• Working knowledge of cloud infrastructure; experience with a major cloud provider is a plus.

• Understanding of GDPR as it applies to IT operations in Germany.

Ways of Working

• Strong ownership mindset: you proactively resolve issues and act on improvement opportunities.

• Automation-first: you prefer repeatable, scripted solutions and continually reduce manual, reactive work.

• Excellent, proactive communicator: you keep stakeholders informed and flag risks early.

• Balanced judgment: independently manage configuration, maintenance, and scripting, escalating architectural or security issues appropriately.

• Natural collaborator: you coordinate with cross-site peers and adjust your style to different audiences.

Nice to Have

• German language skills (English is our working language; German is a plus).

• Experience in a rapidly growing startup or scale-up environment.

• Familiarity with ITIL-aligned change and incident management practices.

• Experience with DLP, EDR rollout, or MDM consolidation projects.

What Success Looks Like

• Reliable, secure systems: No recurring outages or unresolved incidents. Patch compliance maintained and security tools actively monitored. IT-related blockers are rare.

• Clean, automated device and access lifecycle: All devices and accounts enrolled, tracked, managed, and deprovisioned efficiently. Manual steps are continually automated.

• Continuous improvement: Runbooks and documentation are always current. Automation consistently reduces manual work.

• Efficient end-user support: Issues are resolved quickly and escalations are rare.

Systems in Scope

• MDM & Devices: Microsoft Intune (or equivalent)

• Productivity: Microsoft 365 (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint)

• File Storage: Box

• Project & Knowledge: Atlassian Jira, Confluence

• Endpoint Security: EDR/DLP (in rollout)

• Identity & Access: MFA solution, access management frameworks

• Cloud Infrastructure: Provider to be confirmed

• Scripting: PowerShell, Python, or equivalent

What We Offer

• The opportunity to be part of a mission-driven team building technology that could change the world’s energy future.

• A technically sophisticated environment with high expectations — and real engineering challenges.

• A collaborative, international team with colleagues in Berlin, Darmstadt, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

• A role that grows as the company scales.

• Competitive compensation based on experience and skills.

• Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

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.