Experimental Scientist, Plasmas

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

We are looking for an Experimental Research Scientist or Engineer to help scale up the size of the FRC formation section of its fusion generators. You will be part of a small group of scientists, engineers, and technicians responsible for designing, building, and testing the world's largest FRC. You will report directly to our Director of Research at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

• Provide design and test engineering support in vacuum systems, gaseous fuel systems, high-voltage power electronics, inductively coupled plasma sources, plasma diagnostics, and data acquisition systems
• Develop and validate technical specifications to comply with project requirements
• Prepare laboratory test plans and procedures, and present at test readiness reviews
• Install and operate high density plasma sources (e.g. helicon, ECR, ring theta) and diagnostics
• Maintain vacuum facilities and related support equipment such as gas fuel feed systems, high-voltage power electronics, data acquisition systems, and diagnostics
• Analyze diagnostic test data, write reports, and present results
• Use critical reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses with different technical solutions

Required Skills

• M.S with 3+ years of experience or Ph.D. in Plasma Physics, engineering, or related field of study
• 1+ years of experience with plasma physics in a hands-on laboratory environment
• Hands-on hardware experience with vacuum systems, high pressure gas flow systems, plasma diagnostics, and data acquisition systems
• Experience in the design, build, and test approach of seeing a project from conception to completion

At Helion, we are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation. We ensure all our roles are competitively benchmarked and our total compensation package includes a base salary, comprehensive benefits, and equity grants, giving you a true stake in Helion's success. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to maintaining internal equity, ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams.

This is an exempt salaried role.

Annual Base Bay

$117,000 - $156,000 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)
• 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.