CMM Operator, Quality Inspector

Fusion Energy Base; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for

PTO 31 days (21 vacation, 10 sick)

Up to 5% 401(k) match

Holidays + winter break

Disability & life insurance

Parental leave and support

Wellness stipend

Job summary

Helion Energy is seeking a CMM Operator, Quality Inspector, to develop and operate production CMM capabilities, performing receiving, first article, in‑process, final, and rework inspections on supplier-provided and internal hardware. You will verify requirements with CMMs, document objective evidence, and support MRB activities.

You will collaborate with Machining, Engineering, and Quality to resolve dimensional issues and improve inspection methods, part inspectability, and manufacturing

Qualifications

• 3+ years of CMM programming, operation, and dimensional inspection experience in precision manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, ASME Y14.5 principles, and dimensional measurement strategy.
• Hands-on experience with CMM software, probes, alignments, fixturing, and common precision measurement equipment.
• Working knowledge of metrology, calibration, measurement uncertainty, measurement-system analysis, and gauge repeatability and reproducibility.
• Experience inspecting precision-machined, fabricated, or complex mechanical hardware through first article, in-process, final, or rework inspection.
• Experience with nonconformance documentation, material control, objective measurement evidence, and traceable inspection records.
• Ability to investigate dimensional discrepancies, work directly with machinists and engineers, and manage changing priorities with sound judgment and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and maintain CMM programs, probing strategies, alignments, and fixturing from drawings and CAD models.
• Perform receiving, first article, in-process, final, and rework inspections using CMMs and precision measurement equipment.
• Validate results, distinguish product variation from setup or programming error, and identify recurring dimensional trends.
• Support containment and MRB/nonconformance workflows by documenting measurement evidence and dispositions.
• Maintain controlled CMM programs, revisions, inspection reports, quality records, and product traceability.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Supply Chain to improve drawings and inspection efficiency.
• Maintain CMM probes, fixtures, calibration, verification, and preventive maintenance.

Skills

CMM programming

CMM operation

Dimensional inspection

GD&T knowledge

ASME Y14.5

Metrology

Calibration

Nonconformance

Traceability

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CMM software

Probes

Fixturing

Measurement equipment

Job description

About Helion

We are a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, with the mission to build the world's first fusion power plant, enabling a future with unlimited clean electricity. Our vision is a world with clean, reliable, and affordable energy for everyone. Since Helion's founding in 2013, we have raised $1.5 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors including Thrive Capital, LightSpeed Venture Capital, SoftBank, and others to propel us forward. Our current prototype, Polaris, has reached record-breaking plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius (13 keV). Helion is continuing to iterate and on the path to the world's first fusion power plant, Orion.

This is a pivotal time to join Helion. You will tackle real-world challenges with a team that prizes urgency, rigor, ownership, and a commitment to delivering hard truths – values essential to achieving what no one has before. Together, we will change the future of energy, because the world can't wait.

What You Will Be Doing:

As a CMM Operator, Quality Inspector, you will develop and operate Helion’s production CMM capability while performing hands‑on receiving, first article, in‑process, final, and rework inspections on supplier‑provided and internally manufactured hardware as required. You will use CMMs and manual measurement equipment to verify requirements, document objective evidence, and support nonconformance and MRB activities. You will partner with Machining, Engineering, and Quality to resolve dimensional issues and improve inspection methods, part inspectability, and manufacturing quality.

You Will:

• Assist in developing, validating, and maintaining CMM programs, probing strategies, alignments, and fixturing from drawings, CAD models, specifications, and GD&T
• Perform receiving, first article, in‑process, final, and rework inspections using CMMs and manual precision measurement equipment
• Validate results, distinguish product variation from setup or programming error, identify recurring dimensional trends, and clearly communicate findings
• Support containment and MRB/nonconformance workflows by documenting objective measurement evidence, verifying dimensions, and completing reinspection against approved dispositions
• Maintain controlled CMM programs, revisions, inspection reports, quality records, and product traceability
• Partner with Manufacturing, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Supply Chain to resolve issues and improve drawing clarity, datum schemes, fixturing, part inspectability, and inspection efficiency
• Maintain CMM probes, fixtures, and related equipment and support calibration, verification, and preventive‑maintenance requirements
• Create standard work, share technical knowledge, and balance CMM programming with priority manual inspection and MRB support as production needs change

Required Skills:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 3+ years of CMM programming, operation, and dimensional inspection experience in precision manufacturing, including creating and troubleshooting programs from engineering requirements
• Working knowledge of GD&T, ASME Y14.5 principles, and dimensional measurement strategy
• Hands‑on experience with CMM software, probes, alignments, fixturing, and common precision measurement equipment
• Working knowledge of metrology, calibration, measurement uncertainty, measurement‑system analysis, and gauge repeatability and reproducibility
• Experience inspecting precision‑machined, fabricated, or complex mechanical hardware through first article, in‑process, final, or rework inspection
• Experience with nonconformance documentation, material control, objective measurement evidence, and traceable inspection records
• Ability to investigate dimensional discrepancies, work directly with machinists and engineers, and manage changing priorities with sound judgment and attention to detail

Benefits

• 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

Helion is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.