Experimental Scientist

U.S. Fusion Energy; Energy (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

PTO 31 days

Holidays

401(k) match

Disability insurance

Parental leave

Wellness stipend

Job summary

Helion, a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, is seeking a PhD-level plasma diagnostics scientist to advance diagnostic systems for its Polaris and Orion programs. This full‑time, on‑site role resides in the Science department and offers a path to contribute to the world’s first fusion power plant.

You will design, deploy, calibrate, and operate plasma diagnostics, analyze data, and work across plasma physics, machine operations, controls, physics, and data science teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, with a focus on plasma science, diagnostics, or high‑vacuum instrumentation
• Hands-on experience with plasma systems and high‑vacuum instrumentation
• Experience supporting design, build, calibration, or operation of plasma diagnostics such as interferometry, spectroscopy, Langmuir probes, magnetic coils, or optical diagnostics

Responsibilities

• Support the design, build, deployment, calibration, and commissioning of plasma diagnostic systems.
• Operate autonomously on day‑to‑day technical tasks and escalate risks when appropriate.
• Collaborate with plasma physics, machine operations, controls, mechanical and electrical engineering, and data science teams to support diagnostic readiness.
• Develop hands‑on expertise in pre‑ionization plasma diagnostics and establish repeatable methods.
• Analyze diagnostic data to identify trends and inform operational tuning and hardware improvements.
• Document experimental procedures, calibration methods, test results, and lessons learned to improve knowledge sharing.

Skills

Plasma diagnostics

Autonomous work

High vacuum

Pulsed power

Langmuir probes

Spectroscopy

Interferometry

Education

PhD in physics or engineering

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.
Location
Everett, WA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Science
Compensation

• $150K – $200K
• Offers Equity

OverviewApplication
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.
You Will

• Support the design, build, deployment, calibration, and commissioning of plasma diagnostic systems for Helion’s fusion generators, operating with autonomy on defined tasks and workstreams while escalating technical risks or tradeoffs when appropriate
• Contribute to the operation and troubleshooting of plasma diagnostics used to evaluate plasma parameters such as density, temperature, current profiles, and other key performance indicators
• Work cross-functionally with plasma physics, machine operations, controls, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and data science teams to support diagnostic readiness for experimental campaigns and testbeds
• Develop hands‑on expertise in pre‑ionization plasma diagnostics, helping establish consistent methods and practices that support next‑generation fusion device development
• Analyze diagnostic data to identify trends, support experimental interpretation, and inform operational tuning, hardware improvements, or follow‑up testing
• Document experimental procedures, calibration methods, test results, and lessons learned to improve consistency, reliability, and knowledge sharing across Helion’s experimental programs

Required Skills

• Ph.D. in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, with a focus on plasma science, diagnostics, or high‑vacuum instrumentation
• Relevant hands‑on experience with plasma systems, advanced laboratory environments, high‑vacuum systems, pulsed‑power systems, or complex experimental hardware
• Experience supporting the design, build, calibration, troubleshooting, or operation of plasma diagnostics such as interferometry, spectroscopy, Langmuir probes, magnetic coils, electrostatic diagnostics, optical diagnostics, or related measurement systems
• Ability to operate autonomously on day‑to‑day technical tasks, apply critical thinking across multiple inputs, and elevate issues appropriately when technical risk, scope, or priority requires broader alignment

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

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.
Compensation Range: $150K - $200K