Materials Engineering Summer Intern (m/w/d)

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

The materials engineering team at Helion is responsible for developing novel metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites necessary to successfully operate current and next generation nuclear fusion systems. As a Materials Engineering Intern, you'll assist in literature reviews to guide laboratory experiments and perform material characterization tests, including sample preparation, instrument operation, and data acquisition. Your work will support ongoing research and includes presenting results during weekly team meetings and at the year-end intern showcase. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop technical skills, collaborate with industry experts, and play an active part in shaping the future of clean energy. This is a 12-week onsite internship at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

• Assist in the research and development of new materials, including polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites
• Conduct experiments to test the properties and performance of materials under various conditions
• Analyze data from material tests and experiments to identify trends and optimize material properties
• Support the characterization of materials using techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and mechanical testing
• Contribute to the documentation and reporting of research findings, including technical reports and presentations
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings to discuss project progress and challenges

Required Skills

• Ability to work full time, onsite for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2026 in Everett, WA
• Currently enrolled in Graduate (Master's or PhD) degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Fundamental background in materials science principles, including material properties, thermodynamics, and mechanics
• Experience with laboratory techniques and material characterization tools and a willingness to learn
• Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with software tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or Origin)

Base Pay

• Master's: $30 / hour
• PhD: $37 / hour

Compensation and Benefits

At Helion, we are committed to fostering an equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation. For our internships, compensation is paid at an hourly base rate and is competitively benchmarked. All interns will also receive a one-time stipend at the start of their internship. Note that compensation for our internships is non-negotiable. Benefits will include paid holidays, sick time, wellness stipend, company and team events, and more to ensure a great experience for all of our interns!

• Interns receive a $5,000 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.