Senior Electrical Engineer, Hardware in the Loop

Job Description

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

As an Senior Electrical Engineer focused on Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), you will design, build, and automate test platforms that allow us to validate our hardware, firmware, and software together in realistic, integrated environments. You'll work across disciplines to create regression tests that exercise real hardware through power supplies, function generators, source meters, and other lab equipment-catching integration issues before they reach the machine. You'll own the development of HIL testbeds and infrastructure, enabling system-level acceptance and qualification campaigns. By combining hands-on lab work with automation and data analysis, you'll accelerate our ability to test complex electrical systems with confidence and repeatability, ensuring the reliability of the fusion machine at scale. You will report to the Manager of Electrical Engineering and this is an onsite role located at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

• Design, build, and maintain Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds and supporting infrastructure.
• Automate hardware test systems to support regression testing of integrated electrical hardware.
• Control and automate lab equipment (power supplies, function generators, source meters, oscilloscopes).
• Develop test scripts and frameworks to enable repeatable, automated execution of test campaigns.
• Work closely with hardware, firmware, and software engineers to define test requirements and integrate HIL setups into development workflows.
• Run acceptance and qualification test campaigns at an integrated system level.
• Troubleshoot and debug across hardware, software, and test automation boundaries.
• Document testbed architectures, test procedures, and results for traceability and knowledge sharing.

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Strong programming experience in Python, including test automation frameworks.
• Experience using PyVISA or similar libraries to control lab instrumentation.
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment: power supplies, function generators, oscilloscopes, source meters, etc.
• Familiarity with unit testing frameworks and automated regression testing.
• Linux experience for development, scripting, and test environment management.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills across hardware/software boundaries.
• Ability to collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary engineering teams.

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.

Compensation Range: $200K - $240K