Mechanical Engineer, Vacuum Systems

Helion; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

31 Days of PTO (vacation + sick)

Up to 5% 401(k) match

Disability and life insurance

Parental leave and wellness stipend

Job summary

Helion, based in Everett, WA, is seeking an engineer to own vacuum system designs for its pulsed fusion generators, helping deploy fusion energy worldwide. You will report to the Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering and work onsite at our Everett office.

Responsibilities include system definition, design reviews, hands-on hardware work, cross-functional interfacing, and problem solving with multidisciplinary teams to advance the Polaris/Orion roadmap. A strong CAD background is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• 3+ years delivering full-scope engineering projects.
• Hands-on experience across fluids, mechanical, and controls.
• Experience with CAD software (NX, SolidWorks).

Responsibilities

• Own design of high-vacuum system for pulsed fusion generator and prototype.
• Drive system definition from requirements to hardware commissioning.
• Perform analyses using in-house and external tools.
• Collaborate with technicians to implement designs.
• Negotiate interfaces with other subsystems.
• Learn from experts to expand skills.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues on integrated generators.

Skills

Engineering experience

First-principles problem solving

Multi-discipline exposure

CAD tools familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

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

You will own hardware designs for systems related to vacuum systems on Helion's fusion generators. You will solve multidisciplinary engineering problems that are necessary for deploying fusion energy to the world and act as a culture driver on a growing team. You will report to the Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering, and this is an onsite role located at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

• Own design of novel high-vacuum system for pulsed fusion generator and prototype
• Drive system definition from requirements derivation, high-level CONOPs, P&ID and component selection through hardware commissioning
• Perform analysis with in-house and out-of-house tools and hold design reviews to gather feedback and iterate to a fully functioning system
• Work hands-on alongside experienced technicians to implement your hardware designs
• Work cross-functionally to negotiate interfaces with other fusion generator subsystems
• Learn from experts to expand your engineering skillset and domain knowledge
• Troubleshoot hardware issues as they arise on integrated fusion generators

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering
• 3+ years of professional experience delivering on full-scope engineering projects (including schedule ownership)
• Experience applying engineering first-principles and method-based thinking to challenging problems
• Hands-on exposure to a variety of engineering disciplines (fluids, mechanical, controls)
• Experience using CAD software (e.g. NX, Solidworks)

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.