R&D Engineer at Helion in Everett, WA | USD115,000-170,000 | Kablio

Role

Description

plasma diagnostics

labview control

vacuum systems

pulsed power

frc design

experiment execution

Apply plasma physics concepts to generate FRCs and implement diagnostics for magnetic fields, fusion products, and plasma characteristics
Operate and troubleshoot LabView-based control systems using PXIe-NI chassis in fast-pulse EMI environments
Use critical reasoning to evaluate and improve technical solutions
Work with large-scale vacuum systems, including vacuum cycling quartz chambers greater than one meter in diameter
Control pulsed power systems, including mega-joule capacitor banks and high-energy infrastructure
Contribute to the design, build, and measurement of Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion devices
Collaborate cross-functionally to design, build, and improve integrated systems
Support the design and execution of plasma and high-energy experiments

Requirements

high-vacuum

high-voltage

fusion plasma

electric propulsion

b.s./m.s.

problem solving

Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team and mentor junior team members
Proven experience designing, building, and operating complex experiments with a focus on diagnostics and continuous improvement
B.S. with 5+ years of relevant experience, or M.S. with 2+ years of relevant experience in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
Experience working with or around fusion plasmas or electric propulsion thrusters
Extensive hands-on experience building, modifying, or repairing high-vacuum chamber systems or high-voltage capacitor systems
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to meet challenging objectives with minimal supervision
Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn new technologies and take ownership of project areas

Benefits

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

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

plasma diagnostics

labview control

vacuum systems

pulsed power

frc design

experiment execution

Apply plasma physics concepts to generate FRCs and implement diagnostics for magnetic fields, fusion products, and plasma characteristics
Operate and troubleshoot LabView-based control systems using PXIe-NI chassis in fast-pulse EMI environments
Use critical reasoning to evaluate and improve technical solutions
Work with large-scale vacuum systems, including vacuum cycling quartz chambers greater than one meter in diameter
Control pulsed power systems, including mega-joule capacitor banks and high-energy infrastructure
Contribute to the design, build, and measurement of Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion devices
Collaborate cross-functionally to design, build, and improve integrated systems
Support the design and execution of plasma and high-energy experiments

Requirements

high-vacuum

high-voltage

fusion plasma

electric propulsion

b.s./m.s.

problem solving

Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team and mentor junior team members
Proven experience designing, building, and operating complex experiments with a focus on diagnostics and continuous improvement
B.S. with 5+ years of relevant experience, or M.S. with 2+ years of relevant experience in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
Experience working with or around fusion plasmas or electric propulsion thrusters
Extensive hands-on experience building, modifying, or repairing high-vacuum chamber systems or high-voltage capacitor systems
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to meet challenging objectives with minimal supervision
Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn new technologies and take ownership of project areas

Benefits

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

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