Plasma Diagnostics Summer 2027 Intern

Helion; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Helion in Everett, WA is seeking a Plasma Diagnostics Intern to design, test, and deploy optical diagnostic components for understanding our fusion plasma performance. You will work on non-invasive probes to measure density, temperature, and plasma shape, aiding tune-up of fusion machines.

The role requires full-time onsite commitment for at least 12 weeks in summer 2027, pursuing a PhD with plasmas experience, and ability to start full-time by May 2028.

Qualifications

• Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2027.
• Currently pursuing a PhD in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with relevant experience in plasmas
• Must be able to complete their PhD program and commence full-time employment no later than May 2028
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Basic understanding of benchtop optical test and measurement
• Basic proficiency with optical fiber alignment
• General optical lab experience/ basic knowledge of laser and laser safety
• Proficiency with analysis software such as MATLAB or Python
• Optical modeling software skills such as Zemax a plus, but not necessary

Responsibilities

• Prototype and bench test optical diagnostics, for example polarimetry or components of optical interferometers
• Understand basic operations and bench test potential upgrades to performance (e.g., on polarimetry or interferometry)

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Optical fiber alignment

Optical lab experience

Laser safety

Zemax

Education

PhD in Physics or related field

GPA 3.0+

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Zemax

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 Plasma Diagnostics Intern you will work collaboratively to conceive, design, test, and deploy optical diagnostic components and systems that help us understand the performance of our fusion machines. Non-invasive optical probes are essential to our understanding of physical parameters in the core of our plasma and allow us to fine tune the operation of the machine to achieve fusion. We deploy a suite of optical probes that measure a wide range of plasma parameters such as density, temperature, plasma shape, and many more.

You Will:

• Prototype and bench test optical diagnostics, for example polarimetry or components of optical interferometers

• Understand basic operations and bench test potential upgrades to performance (e.g., on polarimetry or interferometry)

Required Skills:

• Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2027

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with relevant experience in plasmas

• Must be able to complete their PhD program and commence full-time employment no later than May 2028

• GPA of 3.0 or above

• Basic understanding of benchtop optical test and measurement

• Basic proficiency with optical fiber alignment

• General optical lab experience/ basic knowledge of laser and laser safety

• Proficiency with analysis software such as MATLAB or Python

• Optical modeling software skills such as Zemax a plus, but not necessary