R&D 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).

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 seeking an R&D Engineer with radiological controls experience. We plan to bring the most powerful, controlled pulsed-fusion device ever constructed online with the goal of generating electrical power. When operational, our fusion power plant will generate low energy neutrons as a bi-product and we need an operator who can help us with work controls and exposure limits planning. We know fusion hasn't been done before, so we are looking for individuals who have translatable experience that can help us accomplish our goals. You will report to our Fusion Test Lead at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

• Complete a training program and qualify as an operator of Helion's Polaris prototype fusion machine
• Safely operate and control pulsed power, high-energy mega joule capacitor systems
• Author and develop fusion prototype operating procedures and create experimental test plans
• Support Polaris tests including test set up, checkouts, and commissioning of Polaris subsystems
• Plan test team post testing re-entry procedures and set stay time limits to accomplish machine inspection and maintenance in concert with exposure limits and ALARA
• Work with large-scale vacuum systems, including vacuum cycling quartz vacuum chambers that are 1+ meters in diameter
• Work with neutron and gamma radiation monitoring equipment
• Learn and understand plasma physics, including how to create FRC's
• Support development of LabView-based and PXIe-NI chassis-based control systems including GUI modifications for improved operator situational awareness and human error prevention
• Collaborate with the Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science department to implement radiation worker standards and training
• Participate in test data reviews
• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively as a member of a team

Required Skills

• B.S. or higher in aerospace or mechanical engineering, physics, or related field of study and 4+ years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability and desire to rapidly learn new systems
• Track record of safely operating a highly complex machine in a high consequence operational environment
• Experience planning and conducting maintenance in a radiation environment
• Experience with radiological controls including stay time, work controls, and exposure planning
• Previous occupational exposure to ionizing radiation
• Knowledge of types and effects of ionizing radiation, and ability to quickly estimate dose
• Experience working on high power plasma devices or high voltage capacitor and power supplies

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

$115,000 - $170,000 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.