Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Fusion Energy Base; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

PTO 31 days

10 holidays + winter break

Up to 5% 401(k) match

Disability and life insurance

Parental leave

Wellness stipend

Job summary

Helion in Everett, WA is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to define and drive the architecture of our manufacturing systems as we scale from prototype builds to high-volume production. This role requires balancing near-term execution with long-term scalability across future production lines.

You will own manufacturing system strategy, lead the development of custom equipment and production systems, and serve as a technical authority across Manufacturing, Design, and Production in a

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems, ideally in high-volume or complex electromechanical environments.

Responsibilities

• Define manufacturing system architecture and long-term scalability strategy across production lines and future factory builds.
• Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that shape how Helion designs, builds, and scales manufacturing systems.
• Lead the development and commissioning of custom, precision manufacturing equipment and integrated production systems.
• Identify and prioritize high-impact investments across equipment, automation, and factory capabilities to enable step-change improvements in scale.
• Solve complex, ambiguous manufacturing challenges, making high-leverage technical decisions with company-wide impact.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction and elevating execution across teams.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Automation

Production systems

Systems architecture

Cross-functional leadership

Mentoring engineers

Job description

About HelionWe 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 Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Helion, you will define and drive the architecture of our manufacturing systems as we scale from prototype builds to high-volume production. You will own manufacturing system strategy, lead the development of custom equipment and production systems, and serve as a technical authority across Manufacturing, Design, and Production. This role operates in a highly ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environment and requires balancing near-term execution with long-term scalability across future production lines.

This is an onsite role that reports directly to Factory Development Manager at our Everett, WA, office.

You Will:

• Define manufacturing system architecture and long-term scalability strategy across production lines and future factory builds
• Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that shape how Helion designs, builds, and scales manufacturing systems
• Lead the development and commissioning of custom, precision manufacturing equipment and integrated production systems
• Identify and prioritize high-impact investments across equipment, automation, and factory capabilities to enable step-change improvements in scale
• Solve complex, ambiguous manufacturing challenges, making high-leverage technical decisions with company-wide impact
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction and elevating execution across teams

Required Skills:

• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems, ideally in high-volume or complex electromechanical environments
• Demonstrated ownership of manufacturing systems or production lines from concept through production ramp at scale
• Experience defining systems, processes, or architecture in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments
• Proven track record of leading large, cross-functional engineering initiatives with broad organizational impact
• Strong cross-functional leadership across Design Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities
• Track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers

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

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.