Director of Engineering, R&D at Helion in Everett, WA | USD213,000-266,000 | Kablio

Role

Description

fusion development

data flow

team management

strategy roadmap

uptime optimization

campaign execution

Accelerate Fusion Development: Set the standard for rapid iteration and data-driven development of Helion's fusion generators and plasma systems
Promote Data Transparency: Ensure seamless data flow between Operations, Engineering, Production, and Research teams to enable informed design decisions for future generations of fusion machines
Lead and Grow a World-Class Team: Manage a cross-disciplinary team of experimental scientists and engineers focused on fast paced experimentation
Define Long-Term Strategy: Develop a strategic roadmap for future machine design, production, and testing capabilities. Define pathway to delivering and operating fusion power plants, including the operational infrastructure, training and safety
Maximize Uptime: Improve operational efficiency, reliability, and turnaround time of fusion generator tests through process optimization, tooling development, and coordination with engineering teams
Shape Operation Campaigns: Partner with Helion's Science and Engineering teams to execute high-impact experimental programs in plasma physics and generator operations. Overseeing the team responsible for implementing several multimillion-dollar research and engineering project simultaneously

Requirements

r&d leadership

experimental design

cross-functional

program management

team management

master's degree

10+ years of experience in R&D and operational leadership within engineering environments
Expertise in experimental design and data collection for complex multi-physics systems
Cross-functional leadership and collaboration skills with experience guiding diverse technical teams
7+ years managing large, technically challenging programs with full schedule and resource ownership
5+ years of experience managing technical teams, including managing managers
Demonstrated ability to apply first-principles thinking and analytical rigor to solve engineering and scientific challenges
Master's degree in engineering or physics

Benefits

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

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

fusion development

data flow

team management

strategy roadmap

uptime optimization

campaign execution

Accelerate Fusion Development: Set the standard for rapid iteration and data-driven development of Helion's fusion generators and plasma systems
Promote Data Transparency: Ensure seamless data flow between Operations, Engineering, Production, and Research teams to enable informed design decisions for future generations of fusion machines
Lead and Grow a World-Class Team: Manage a cross-disciplinary team of experimental scientists and engineers focused on fast paced experimentation
Define Long-Term Strategy: Develop a strategic roadmap for future machine design, production, and testing capabilities. Define pathway to delivering and operating fusion power plants, including the operational infrastructure, training and safety
Maximize Uptime: Improve operational efficiency, reliability, and turnaround time of fusion generator tests through process optimization, tooling development, and coordination with engineering teams
Shape Operation Campaigns: Partner with Helion's Science and Engineering teams to execute high-impact experimental programs in plasma physics and generator operations. Overseeing the team responsible for implementing several multimillion-dollar research and engineering project simultaneously

Requirements

r&d leadership

experimental design

cross-functional

program management

team management

master's degree

10+ years of experience in R&D and operational leadership within engineering environments
Expertise in experimental design and data collection for complex multi-physics systems
Cross-functional leadership and collaboration skills with experience guiding diverse technical teams
7+ years managing large, technically challenging programs with full schedule and resource ownership
5+ years of experience managing technical teams, including managing managers
Demonstrated ability to apply first-principles thinking and analytical rigor to solve engineering and scientific challenges
Master's degree in engineering or physics

Benefits

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

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