Principal Experimental Scientist at Helion in Everett, WA | USD180,000-250,000 | Kablio

Role

Description

diagnostic design

assembly commissioning

real‑time analysis

strategic planning

cross‑team integration

methodology development

Develop foundational expertise in pre-ionization plasma diagnostics, establishing best practices and internal methodologies that inform next-generation fusion device development optimized for energy gain and power conversion
Lead the hands-on execution of assembly, installation, calibration, and commissioning processes for diagnostics across multiple campaigns and testbeds. Ensure high data fidelity through rigorous validation and alignment procedures
Analyze diagnostic data in real time to extract actionable insights about plasma behavior, inform operational tuning, and identify opportunities for performance optimization and system redesign
Partners with leadership across the organization, contributing to strategic planning, roadmap development, and long-term technical vision
Own the end-to-end design and deployment of a comprehensive suite of plasma diagnostics, collaborating closely with physicists, engineers, designers, and data analysts to ensure robust, scalable instrumentation that meets both experimental and operational requirements
Integrate cross-disciplinary technical input from experts across Helion—including plasma physics, machine operations, controls, and data science—to align diagnostic capabilities with real-time operational needs and long-term scientific milestones

Requirements

ph.d.

plasma diagnostics

fusion engineering

interferometry

uhv

10+ years

Deep expertise and unique domain knowledge in multiple areas of plasma diagnostics and fusion engineering. Recognized as a subject matter expert who operates independently
Ph.D. in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, with a focus on plasma science, diagnostics, or high-vacuum instrumentation
Demonstrated track record using diagnostic measurements (e.g., interferometry, spectroscopy, Langmuir probes, magnetic coils, electrostatic diagnostics) to evaluate plasma parameters such as density, temperature, and current profiles, directly influencing system improvements
10+ years of experience working in advanced laboratory environments, with extensive hands-on work involving plasma generation, plasma systems, and UHV vacuum infrastructure

Benefits

10 Paid holidays, plus company-wide winter break
Short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
31 Days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days)
Annual wellness stipend
Paid parental leave and support (up to 16 weeks)
Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and their families
Up to 5% employer 401(k) match

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

Information not given or found

Visa Sponsorship

Information not given or found

Security clearance

Information not given or found

Company

Overview

100M °C

Plasma Temperature

Achieved a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, a critical milestone in fusion energy.

$1B

VC Funding

Received over $1 billion in venture capital funding to support their fusion energy research and development.

$5B

Valuation

Valued at over $5 billion in their Series F funding round, reflecting strong investor confidence in their fusion technology.

50 MW

Power Plant

Aiming to deliver a 50 MW fusion-generated electricity plant by 2028, marking a significant step toward commercial fusion energy.

Pursues a bold vision: taming the power of stars on Earth through fusion energy.
Develops magneto-inertial fusion technology, merging plasma at extreme speeds and capturing energy directly.
Pioneers in aneutronic fusion, recycling byproducts to generate helium-3, a sustainable fuel source.
Shifts from lab-scale to industrial-scale fusion with the Polaris device, supported by legal agreements.
Aims for rapid iteration with reactor designs capable of one pulse per second, enabling modular fusion systems.

Culture + Values

Build with urgency
Take ownership
Execute rigorously
Deliver hard truths

Environment + Sustainability

$500M in 2021

Investment Figure

Raised $500 million in 2021 to accelerate the development of their net-electricity target device, Polaris.

100M°C

Plasma Temperature Achievement

Achieved a milestone by heating plasma to 100 million degrees Celsius in June 2021.

500 MWe

Fusion Plant Capacity

Partnered with Nucor to deploy a 500 MWe fusion plant, enabling zero-carbon baseload power for steelmaking.

Committed to generating zero‑carbon electricity from fusion
Pulsed non‑ignition fusion approach avoids steam turbines and cooling towers by direct electricity capture
Supporting right‑sized regulation to enable safe and rapid fusion deployment
Applied for nitrogen‑based fire suppression and borated‑polyethylene shielding for safety and environmental protection

Inclusion & Diversity

3.4/5 Rating

Glassdoor Employee Reviews

Reveals the company's inclusion and diversity initiatives based on employee feedback on Glassdoor.

4.4/5 for Men

Employee Inclusion Score

Indicates the level of inclusivity experienced by male employees.

4.7/5 for Non-disabled

Employee Inclusion Score

Reflects the high level of inclusivity experienced by non-disabled employees.

4.7/5 for Non-veterans

Employee Inclusion Score

Showcases the inclusive environment for employees who are not veterans.

Articles

Helion announces world’s first fusion energy purchase agreement with Microsoft

Helion Energy Breaks Ground on Site of Its Next‑Generation Fusion Facility in Everett, Washington

Helion | Building the world's first fusion power plant

Role

Description

diagnostic design

assembly commissioning

real‑time analysis

strategic planning

cross‑team integration

methodology development

Develop foundational expertise in pre-ionization plasma diagnostics, establishing best practices and internal methodologies that inform next-generation fusion device development optimized for energy gain and power conversion
Lead the hands-on execution of assembly, installation, calibration, and commissioning processes for diagnostics across multiple campaigns and testbeds. Ensure high data fidelity through rigorous validation and alignment procedures
Analyze diagnostic data in real time to extract actionable insights about plasma behavior, inform operational tuning, and identify opportunities for performance optimization and system redesign
Partners with leadership across the organization, contributing to strategic planning, roadmap development, and long-term technical vision
Own the end-to-end design and deployment of a comprehensive suite of plasma diagnostics, collaborating closely with physicists, engineers, designers, and data analysts to ensure robust, scalable instrumentation that meets both experimental and operational requirements
Integrate cross-disciplinary technical input from experts across Helion—including plasma physics, machine operations, controls, and data science—to align diagnostic capabilities with real-time operational needs and long-term scientific milestones

Requirements

ph.d.

plasma diagnostics

fusion engineering

interferometry

uhv

10+ years

Deep expertise and unique domain knowledge in multiple areas of plasma diagnostics and fusion engineering. Recognized as a subject matter expert who operates independently
Ph.D. in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, with a focus on plasma science, diagnostics, or high-vacuum instrumentation
Demonstrated track record using diagnostic measurements (e.g., interferometry, spectroscopy, Langmuir probes, magnetic coils, electrostatic diagnostics) to evaluate plasma parameters such as density, temperature, and current profiles, directly influencing system improvements
10+ years of experience working in advanced laboratory environments, with extensive hands-on work involving plasma generation, plasma systems, and UHV vacuum infrastructure

Benefits

10 Paid holidays, plus company-wide winter break
Short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
31 Days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days)
Annual wellness stipend
Paid parental leave and support (up to 16 weeks)
Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and their families
Up to 5% employer 401(k) match

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

Information not given or found

Visa Sponsorship

Information not given or found

Security clearance

Information not given or found

Company

Overview

100M °C

Plasma Temperature

Achieved a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, a critical milestone in fusion energy.

$1B

VC Funding

Received over $1 billion in venture capital funding to support their fusion energy research and development.

$5B

Valuation

Valued at over $5 billion in their Series F funding round, reflecting strong investor confidence in their fusion technology.

50 MW

Power Plant

Aiming to deliver a 50 MW fusion-generated electricity plant by 2028, marking a significant step toward commercial fusion energy.

Pursues a bold vision: taming the power of stars on Earth through fusion energy.
Develops magneto-inertial fusion technology, merging plasma at extreme speeds and capturing energy directly.
Pioneers in aneutronic fusion, recycling byproducts to generate helium-3, a sustainable fuel source.
Shifts from lab-scale to industrial-scale fusion with the Polaris device, supported by legal agreements.
Aims for rapid iteration with reactor designs capable of one pulse per second, enabling modular fusion systems.

Culture + Values

Build with urgency
Take ownership
Execute rigorously
Deliver hard truths

Environment + Sustainability

$500M in 2021

Investment Figure

Raised $500 million in 2021 to accelerate the development of their net-electricity target device, Polaris.

100M°C

Plasma Temperature Achievement

Achieved a milestone by heating plasma to 100 million degrees Celsius in June 2021.

500 MWe

Fusion Plant Capacity

Partnered with Nucor to deploy a 500 MWe fusion plant, enabling zero-carbon baseload power for steelmaking.

Committed to generating zero‑carbon electricity from fusion
Pulsed non‑ignition fusion approach avoids steam turbines and cooling towers by direct electricity capture
Supporting right‑sized regulation to enable safe and rapid fusion deployment
Applied for nitrogen‑based fire suppression and borated‑polyethylene shielding for safety and environmental protection

Inclusion & Diversity

3.4/5 Rating

Glassdoor Employee Reviews

Reveals the company's inclusion and diversity initiatives based on employee feedback on Glassdoor.

4.4/5 for Men

Employee Inclusion Score

Indicates the level of inclusivity experienced by male employees.

4.7/5 for Non-disabled

Employee Inclusion Score

Reflects the high level of inclusivity experienced by non-disabled employees.

4.7/5 for Non-veterans

Employee Inclusion Score

Showcases the inclusive environment for employees who are not veterans.

Articles

Helion announces world’s first fusion energy purchase agreement with Microsoft

Helion Energy Breaks Ground on Site of Its Next‑Generation Fusion Facility in Everett, Washington

Helion | Building the world's first fusion power plant