Fuel Cycle Engineer

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’ll Be Doing

You will play a key role in developing the world’s first continuous fuel cycle for commercial fusion energy. This position focuses on building and applying advanced process modeling and simulation capabilities to support fuel cycle process design and system integration. You'll work closely with engineers, scientists, and technicians across the company, with a focus on scaling up and integrating these systems into our commercial fusion platform. You will report to the Fuel Cycle Manager and work onsite at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

• Develop and maintain in-house process simulation capabilities, including property libraries and sub-models for key unit operations
• Own fuel cycle process architecture and flowsheet design using steady-state and dynamic simulations to guide equipment sizing and system configuration
• Validate and refine simulation models using data from pilot-scale operations to improve model fidelity and predictive accuracy
• Support detailed design and specification of process components such as separation columns, catalyst beds, membranes, heaters, pumps, and cryogenic or vacuum systems
• Produce high-quality engineering documentation, including process design bases, PFDs, H&MBs, P&IDs, simulation results, sensitivity analyses, technical reports, and cost evaluations
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to implement and test process designs

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or equivalent experience with strong fundamentals in process engineering
• 5+ years of experience delivering full-scope engineering projects, including managing technical deliverables and schedules
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with chemical process simulation tools (e.g., AVEVA Process Simulation, HYSYS, ProMax)
• Proven ability to apply first-principles thinking and methodical problem-solving in complex engineering environments
• Experience conducting economic evaluations of engineering designs, including cost-benefit analysis, equipment sizing and cost estimation, and CapEx/OpEx forecasting
• Demonstrated success working on and contributing to multidisciplinary engineering projects

Total Compensation and Benefits

Helion's compensation package includes a competitively benchmarked base salary, meaningful equity grants, and comprehensive benefits. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to internal equity - ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams. We are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation.

This is an exempt salaried role.

Annual Base Pay

$136,000 - $194,000 USD

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.