Valerie Roberts
Chief Operating Officer
Longview Fusion Energy Systems

Valerie Roberts is the Chief Business Officer/Chief Operating Officer of Longview Fusion Energy Systems, which is focused on making cost-effective laser fusion energy a reality for the grid within the next decade. Longview is differentiated by its proven fusion physics, designs developed in collaboration with major utilities, and robust intellectual property portfolio.
With more than three decades of experience in engineering, project management, business leadership, and corporate management, Roberts has been a key figure in several multi-billion dollar, first-of-its-kind projects delivered successfully around the globe.
Roberts was one of the Project Managers for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, delivering over $800m of scope. With her leadership contribution, NIF is the world's largest and most energetic laser, achieving fusion burn with gain, groundbreaking scientific advancement, and the path to commercial fusion energy. She also contributed to the Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (LIFE) Program, driving the development of a preliminary design for a commercially viable fusion power plant in collaboration with leading electric power utilities.
Roberts has a diverse background in high technology project delivery, having served as the Delivery Director at the UK's Atomic Weapons Establishment, which is responsible for delivering a $6B portfolio of first-of-kind, civil Nuclear Regulated facilities. She also has significant business leadership experience as a Senior Vice President at Jacobs Solutions. Her business experience runs the gamut from running an Oil & Gas Field Services business with a $1.2B annual turnover, and the M&A of more than $5B in deals, to Business Transformation of the Government Services arm of Jacobs, which demonstrated double-digit top-line growth over three years and expansion of the bottom line by more than 150 basis points.
Throughout her career, Roberts has been known for her highly collaborative, mission-driven, inclusive, and value-driven style. Her work spans various end markets, including oil and gas, national/ international security, space, environmental remediation, and, most recently, fusion energy.
Roberts is a member of the National Academy of Construction and the Fusion Industry Association. She serves as a Board Member for the Project Leadership Institute. She has won several prestigious awards, including the NAWIC Outstanding Woman in Construction, Del E. Webb School of Construction Distinguished Graduate, and the Project Management Institute's Project of the Year.