Also called: ICF Target Technician, Target Fabrication Specialist
Builds the tiny fuel capsules, smaller than a peppercorn, that giant lasers blast to create fusion reactions.
Under a microscope in a cleanroom, you glue a capsule thinner than a hair onto a gold holder using a robot arm. You measure its shape to a millionth of a meter and reject any with flaws. The finished target ships to a laser lab where it will be hit by the world's most powerful laser.
Estimated from national lab and contractor postings.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree in engineering technology, optics or materials; precision lab experience.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Engineering Technology, Optics Technology, Materials Science.
Growing about average. A tiny field centered on a few labs and contractors.
Low risk for 10 years. Robots assist, but assembling targets under a microscope still needs skilled, steady human hands.
Classes: Physics, Chemistry, Art or model building.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9199.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.