Experimental Scientist — Plasma Diagnostics for Fusion

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

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.