What You Will Be Doing:You will lead the Control Systems team within Helion's R&D department on delivering reliable systems that enable rapid experimentation while creating a scalable foundation for increasingly complex machines. This team delivers and maintains control and data acquisition systems for high-voltage electrical test bays, plasma-technology test bays, production and manufacturing end-of-line testing, and large field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma machines.
Your near-term focus will be strengthening and standardizing control system architectures, hardware, software, and development practices across these applications. Over time, the team's scope may expand to include contributions to the control system for Orion, Helion's first fusion power plant. You will report to the R&D Manager and work onsite at our Everett, WA office.
You Will:- Lead the Controls Engineering team in the timely delivery of reliable control and data acquisition systems supporting R&D operations
- Set technical direction, priorities, ownership, and engineering standards across controls development, testing, deployment, configuration management, and documentation
- Balance rapid delivery for near-term experimental needs with building scalable, maintainable control systems for future growth
- Partner closely with scientists, engineers, machine operators, production teams, and other stakeholders to translate operational needs into effective controls solutions
- Develop a high-performing engineering team through coaching, feedback, and technical rigor
- Anticipate and address technical, organizational, and staffing constraints, including scaling and growing the team as needed
Required Skills:- Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and mentor engineers, including setting clear expectations, providing actionable feedback, and building accountability
- Technical proficiency with LabVIEW and NI hardware in control system applications, including PXI, cRIO, real-time systems, and FPGA
- Ability to set technical direction, prioritize competing needs, and lead a team through ambiguous or rapidly changing requirements
- Experience developing control and data acquisition systems for large-scale, complex hardware
- Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills
- Experience integrating PLCs with LabVIEW- and NI-based control systems
- Experience integrating text-based code, such as C or MATLAB, with LabVIEW- and NI-based control systems
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BenefitsOur 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
