Mechanical Engineering Summer Intern (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 $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 a Mechanical Engineering Intern at Helion, you'll be at the forefront of fusion technology development, playing a crucial role in qualifying systems for new operating conditions and ensuring long-term performance. You'll collaborate on R&D efforts, contributing fresh ideas as we work on next-generation machines, and explore potential system upgrades to enhance overall performance. This internship offers hands-on experience, solving real-world engineering problems that are important to deploying fusion energy to the world. This is a 12-week onsite internship at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

• Own and understand subsystem designs such as electromagnetic, structural, fluid, thermal, and control systems, and improve their requirements
• Learn from historical engineering approaches, design novel hardware, and test your solutions
• Fix hardware issues as they arise on integrated fusion generators
• Apply both engineering first-principles and method-based thinking to challenging problems
• Learn from experts to expand your engineering skillset and domain knowledge

Required Skills

• Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2026
• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Hands-on exposure to a variety of engineering disciplines (e.g. mechanical, electrical, fluids)
• Experience with 3D CAD software (e.g. NX, SolidWorks) and GD&T

Base Pay

• $30 / hour

Compensation and Benefits

At Helion, we are committed to fostering an equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation. For our internships, compensation is paid at an hourly base rate and is competitively benchmarked. All interns will also receive a one-time stipend at the start of their internship. Note that compensation for our internships is non-negotiable. Benefits will include paid holidays, sick time, wellness stipend, company and team events, and more to ensure a great experience for all of our interns!

• Interns receive a $5,000 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.