PhD in Physics, Engineering, Applied Math, Computational Science, or related field focusing on physics-based modeling.
10+ years experience in industry or research labs using machine learning in scientific R&D.
Expert in physics-informed ML methods like differentiable physics and PINNs.
Experience integrating ML with scientific workflows and simulation tools.
Proficient in scripting for data analysis and visualization, with MATLAB or Python.
Familiar with magnetic diffusion and plasma dynamics in pulsed-power systems.
Responsibilities
Develop and validate machine-learning frameworks for FRC plasma dynamics.
Integrate ML models with simulation tools and experimental diagnostic pipelines.
Reproduce experimental plasma conditions within ML workflows for analysis.
Generate scripts for post-processing and visualizing ML predictions against experimental data.
Collaborate with experts in plasma physics and transient magnetics to enhance modeling accuracy.
Communicate findings clearly through reports and visual presentations.
Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and families.
31 Days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days).
10 Paid holidays plus a company-wide winter break.
Up to 5% employer 401(k) match.
Short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
Paid parental leave (up to 16 weeks) and support.
Annual wellness stipend.
Full Job Description
What You Will Be Doing:
Helion is hiring a Principal Applied Plasma Data Scientist specializing in physics-grounded machine learning to accelerate experimental FRC plasma modeling. This role will focus on developing and validating advanced ML frameworks-such as differentiable-physics models, PINNs, surrogate modeling, or hybrid physics+ML systems-while integrating these tools with simulation and diagnostics pipelines. You will support cross-disciplinary fusion research and contribute to high-impact modeling that informs experimental design and interpretation. This onsite position reports to the Experimental Science Manager at our Everett, WA office and plays a key role in advancing fusion electricity development.
You Will:
Develop and validate machine-learning frameworks for FRC plasma-dynamics, leveraging physics-grounded ML approaches (e.g., differentiable physics, PINNs, surrogate modeling, or hybrid physics+ML systems)
Integrate ML models with existing simulation tools and experimental-diagnostic pipelines to enable hybrid physics + data-driven validation workflows
Reproduce experimental plasma conditions within ML modeling workflows to support interpretation of magnetic diffusion, circuit response, and diagnostic measurements
Generate analysis scripts for post-processing, parsing model outputs, and visualizing correlations between ML-based predictions and experimental results
Collaborate with plasma-physics, pulsed-power, and transient-magnetics experts to expand the fidelity and fusion-relevance of ML-enabled modeling frameworks
Communicate results with rigor and clarity through reports, presentations, and technical visualizations for research stakeholders
Required Skills:
PhD in Physics, Engineering, Applied Math, Computational Science, Machine Learning, or related field with emphasis on physics-grounded modeling
10+ years of industry or research-lab experience applying machine learning in experimental, simulation-driven, or scientific R&D environments
Expertise with physics-informed or physics-constrained ML methods, such as differentiable physics, PINNs, scientific ML, surrogate modeling, or reduced-order models for complex physical systems
Experience integrating ML models with scientific-computing workflows, simulation tools, or experimental diagnostics
Proficiency scripting for data parsing, model analysis, and visualization (MATLAB, Python, or similar; Fortran or HPC exposure valuable)
Familiarity with magnetic diffusion, circuit coupling, or plasma-dynamics modeling in pulsed-power or electromagnetics systems
Benefits
Our 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
About Helion Energy
Helion Energy, Inc. is an American fusion research company, located in Everett, Washington. They are developing a magneto-inertial fusion technology to produce helium-3 and fusion power via aneutronic fusion.
