Computational Plasma 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 $600 million from investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group 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).

Now we are working toward Polaris, which will be the first machine to demonstrate electricity from fusion, making this a great time to join Helion! Bring your skills, experiences, and determination to make a difference in the world. Together, we can make a future with unlimited clean electricity from fusion a reality.

What You Will Be Doing

Helion is hiring a Computational Plasma Engineer. You will communicate with engineers and scientists on wide range of topics including plasma physics; magnetic field diffusion and eddy currents; circuit response and coupling; and structural mechanics. You will report to our Director of Research at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

• Run our internal MHD code, to simulate FRC dynamics for wide range of simulation conditions, from the initial simulation setup to the postprocessing of the results
• Calculate FRC dynamics, circuit response, and magnetic loads to help develop our fusion generators
• Perform analysis related to interpreting experimental measurements by reproducing the experimental conditions with our internal MHD code
• Learn from the experts to expand your technical skillset and domain knowledge
• Communicate simulation results and findings with accuracy and rigor to both scientists and engineers by preparing reports, presentations, and graphics

Required Skills

• B.S. or M.S. in Physics, engineering, or related field of study with a emphasis in magnetics (a semester with Jackson or a similar text in classical electrodynamics)
• An understanding of magnetic field diffusion and eddy currents
• Ability to understand FRC physics
• Write scripts to analyze output, parse files, and create plots in a common coding language (e.g. MATLAB, Fortran, C, Python, etc.)
• Previous MATLAB and Fortran experience
• Some experience using or writing computer simulation tools for circuit dynamics, fluid dynamics, transient magnetics, or plasma dynamics

The pay range for this position is $90k-145k. This pay range may be inclusive of several career levels and will be narrowed based on several factors, including the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Benefits and Compensation

Our total compensation package includes generous equity and 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)
• 13 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

NOTE: Underrepresented people are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of the job's requirements. We believe in hiring people, not checklists, and encourage you to apply even if you do not check all of the boxes. If this job isn't the one, we have many other openings that may be a fit.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. If we reach out to you to begin an interview process, we will also ask if you require any reasonable accommodation at that time.