Helion Energy

R&D Engineer - Fusion Generator Operations

Helion Energy$90K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. with 4+ years or M.S. with 2+ years in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
  • Hands-on experience with high-vacuum chamber systems or high-voltage capacitor systems.
  • Experience in maintaining system uptime, reliability, and troubleshooting.
  • Proven track record in executing complex experiments with emphasis on safety and repeatability.
  • Ability to rapidly adopt new technologies and take ownership of systems.
  • Strong problem-solving skills for real-time issues.
  • Demonstrated teamwork and high-performance collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

  • Operate and support daily FRC fusion experiments for safe machine performance.
  • Monitor pulsed power systems ensuring reliability and readiness.
  • Ensure system readiness through setup, checks, troubleshooting, and analysis.
  • Diagnose and resolve high-energy vacuum system issues to minimize downtime.
  • Apply plasma physics to support and interpret fusion experiments.
  • Drive improvements in machine operations and experimental consistency.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and families.
  • 31 days of paid time off, including vacation and sick days.
  • 10 paid holidays plus a company-wide winter break.
  • Up to 5% employer match on 401(k) contributions.
  • Short and long-term disability coverage and life insurance.
  • Paid parental leave and support, up to 16 weeks.
  • Annual wellness stipend.
Full Job Description
What You Will Be Doing:

You will help operate and advance the most powerful, pulsed-fusion device ever constructed to generate electrical power. As a member of the Research and Development team, you will play a critical role in the safe, reliable, and repeatable operation of high-energy fusion systems. You will contribute to the execution of fusion experiments, system readiness, and continuous improvement of machine performance.

You Will:
  • Operate and support the day-to-day execution of Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion experiments, ensuring safe and repeatable machine performance
  • Control and monitor pulsed power systems, including mega-joule capacitor banks and high-energy infrastructure, with a focus on operational reliability and readiness
  • Own system readiness for experiments, including pre-shot setup, system checks, troubleshooting, and analysis
  • Identify, diagnose, and resolve issues in high-energy and large-scale vacuum systems to minimize downtime and improve operational efficiency
  • Apply plasma physics concepts to support experiment execution and interpret diagnostics for magnetic fields, fusion products, and plasma characteristics
  • Drive continuous improvement of machine operations, including refining procedures, improving system robustness, and reducing variability in experimental results
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, science, and production teams to improve system performance and operational throughput

Required Skills:
  • B.S. with 4+ years of relevant experience, or M.S. with 2+ years of relevant experience in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
  • Extensive hands-on experience operating, maintaining, or improving high-vacuum chamber systems or high-voltage capacitor systems
  • Experience owning system uptime, reliability, and performance, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis
  • Proven experience executing complex experiments or operations with a focus on repeatability, safety, and continuous improvement
  • Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn new technologies and take ownership of operational systems
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to respond effectively to real-time issues with minimal supervision
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team and contribute to a high-performance operational environment
  • Experience mentoring or training others in system operation is a plus

#LI-Onsite #LI-TM1

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.
Learn more about Helion Energy
Industry
Founded
2013

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