Manager, Fusion Test & Operations

Fusion Energy Base; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

31 Days of PTO

10 Paid holidays

401(k) match

Disability and life insurance

Paid parental leave

Annual wellness stipend

Job summary

Fusion Energy Base in Everett, WA, is seeking an experienced engineering leader to develop advanced fusion technology. This role involves mentoring a team of engineers and scientists while collaborating to meet program goals. A strong background in aerospace, nuclear engineering, or physics is required, along with proven leadership skills.

Benefits include comprehensive health plans, generous vacation time, and paid parental leave. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of clean energy.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience or 4+ years with a Master's degree.
• 1+ years in technical leadership or management roles.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Grow and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
• Drive schedule ownership and optimization for project milestones.
• Collaborate with various teams to meet program goals.
• Contribute to the testing and operation of fusion devices.
• Educate and facilitate work on large-scale vacuum systems.
• Apply plasma physics concepts for diagnostics and evaluation.

Skills

Engineering experience

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Education

B.S. in Engineering or M.S. with relevant experience

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.

What You Will Be Doing

You will lead the development of engineers and scientists that will bring the most powerful, controlled pulsed‑fusion device ever constructed online, to generate electrical power. As a leader within the Research and Development team, you will grow and lead a high‑performance operating team in the research and development of fusion technology and experiments, control high‑energy systems, and design diagnostics for advanced plasma devices. You will report to the Senior R&D Manager, and this is an onsite role located at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

• Grow and mentor a team of multidisciplinary engineers and scientists
• Drive schedule ownership and optimization across the team to accelerate milestone achievement
• Collaborate with Engineering, Science, and Production teams to derive system requirements and meet program goals
• Contribute to the testing and operation of Field‑Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion devices
• Lead engineers and scientists in the design and execution of plasma and high‑energy experiments
• Educate and facilitate work performed by the team on large‑scale vacuum systems greater than one meter in diameter
• Apply plasma physics concepts to support your team in creating FRCs and implement diagnostics to measure magnetic fields, fusion products, and plasma characteristics
• Mentoring Operators in using critical reasoning to evaluate and improve technical solutions

Required Skills

• B.S. with 8+ years of engineering experience, or M.S. with 4+ years of relevant experience in Aerospace, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• 1+ years in a technical leadership or management role
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and positively impact their career progression
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams with full project ownership
• Proven experience designing, building, and operating complex experiments with a focus on diagnostics and continuous improvement
• Hands‑on experience across multiple engineering disciplines
• Ability to apply first‑principles thinking to solve complex technical problems
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn new technologies and take ownership of project areas

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.