Materials Engineer (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 $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).

As we turn up operations for Polaris, which will be the first machine to demonstrate electricity from fusion, it's a great time to join Helion! Together, we can make a future with unlimited clean electricity from fusion a reality.

What You Will Be Doing

We are seeking an entry-level Materials Engineer to support Helion’s materials science needs spanning R&D, product support, and radiation effects on materials. In this role, you will characterize materials (e.g., using a load frame, SEM, FTIR, nanoindentation, microscopy), handle radioactive materials, study materials damage due to radiation, support material R&D efforts, and communicate technical information via documentation, reports, and design reviews. This onsite position is based at our Everett locations, reporting to the Director of Materials within the broader Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science department.

You Will

• Operate materials characterization instruments (load frame, SEM, FTIR, nanoindenter, microscopy, etc.) in support of e.g., failure analyses on components and systems
• Summarize and document findings in reports and presentations to a broad scope of stakeholders
• Identify and serve as the primary liaison with external groups and vendors
• Handle radioactive materials and perform tests to understand the change in materials properties as a function of radiation exposure
• Collaborate with Helion technical teams throughout the design, development, and deployment phases of Helion fusion devices to ensure technical guidance achieves machine performance goals

Required Skills

• Demonstrated strong fundamental understanding of materials science or nuclear engineering through a relevant degree or equivalent work experience
• Experience with data analysis, visualization, and presentation, including error bars and uncertainty analysis/propagation
• Successful completion of projects, evidenced by playing a key leadership role in student organizations/project teams with final deliverables or through internships with meaningful impact on the company
• Exhibited eagerness to learn, as shown by participation in extracurricular activities or instances of exceeding typical course requirements
• Demonstrated ambition, as evidenced by pursuing challenging goals, taking on leadership roles, and receiving recognition through awards and honors

Compensation and Benefits

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 Pay

$90,000 - $110,000 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

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.