Senior Engineering Technician, Operations Support (m/w/d)

Job Description

We are a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, with the mission to build the world's first fusion power plant, enabling a future with unlimited clean electricity. Our vision is a world with clean, reliable, and affordable energy for everyone.

Since Helion's founding in 2013, we have raised over $1 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors SoftBank and Lightspeed to propel us forward. Our last prototype, Trenta, completed 10,000 high-power pulses and reached plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius (9 keV). We are now operating Polaris, our next prototype on the path to the world's first fusion power plant.

This is a pivotal time to join Helion. You will tackle real-world challenges with a team that prizes urgency, rigor, ownership, and a commitment to delivering hard truths - values essential to achieving what no one has before. Together, we will change the future of energy, because the world can't wait.

What You Will Be Doing

You'll work side-by-side with engineers and scientists to turn ideas into prototypes, prototypes into experiments, and experiments into real systems operating on Polaris and the next generation of Helion fusion machines.

This isn't a routine technician role. It's a hands-on engineering role for people who like solving hard problems, building first-of-a-kind hardware, and working in a fast-paced R&D environment where each day brings new challenges and opportunities to build, test, and advance the next generation of fusion energy systems.

One day, you might be installing diagnostics or troubleshooting high-voltage pulsed power systems. Next, you could be fabricating a rapid prototype, integrating new instrumentation, or helping reconfigure a test bay to support the next phase of development.

You Will

• Support the operation, maintenance, and ongoing development of Polaris and future generations of Helion fusion systems
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to fabricate, assemble, test, troubleshoot, deploy, operate, maintain, and repair complex mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems
• Install, align, and maintain high voltage pulsed power systems, including ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and fuel systems
• Fabricate one-of-a-kind prototypes, assemblies, fixtures, and instrumentation enclosures, supporting rapid design iterations from engineering concepts
• Perform PCB assembly, soldering, rework, and custom cable fabrication
• Install and integrate diagnostics, sensors, cameras, and scientific instrumentation used to monitor and support system development
• Support upgrades, modifications, and reconfiguration of experimental test bays to enable evolving research and development work
• Operate safely at heights using scissor lifts and fall protection systems within Helion facilities
• Communicate project progress, technical issues, and system status with engineers and technical owners
• Create and maintain technical documentation, build records, and inventory of parts and consumables while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence
• Support either our 6:00 am to 2:30 pm OR 11:00 am to 7:30 pm work schedule, Monday through Friday at our Everett, WA office

Required Skills

• 5+ years of hands-on experience building, integrating, testing, or operating complex electromechanical or experimental hardware systems
• Demonstrated ability to develop first-of-a-kind hardware and solve complex technical challenges where solutions are not always immediately obvious
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced R&D environments where priorities shift and new hardware is continuously being developed and integrated
• Experience troubleshooting complex electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation systems in experimental or industrial environments
• Strong hands-on fabrication and prototyping skills, including machining, fixture design, mechanical assembly, and rapid hardware iteration
• Ability to work safely at heights using ladders, scissor lifts, and fall protection equipment
• Proficiency with electrical systems and electronics assembly, including wiring harnesses, cable fabrication, soldering, PCB assembly, and signal routing
• Familiarity working with instrumentation and diagnostic systems, including sensors, cameras, and precision measurement equipment
• Experience interpreting technical drawings, electrical schematics, and engineering documentation
• Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to maintain build documentation, test records, and technical notes while operating to high standards of safety and quality

Preferred Skills

• Background working with high voltage electrical systems (200V+)
• Working knowledge of vacuum systems, including high or ultra-high vacuum environments (<10⁻³ Torr)
• Hands-on work with scientific instrumentation and diagnostic systems
• Experience supporting experimental test infrastructure or research hardware platforms
• Exposure to experimental physics, plasma systems, aerospace systems, or advanced energy technologies

Benefits

Our total compensation package includes benefits, including but not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and their families
• 31 Days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days)
• 10 Paid holidays, plus company-wide winter break
• Up to 5% employer 401(k) match
• Short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
• Paid parental leave and support (up to 16 weeks)
• Annual wellness stipend

Helion is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.