R&D Operator

Fusion Energy Base; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for

PTO - 31 Days (vacation + sick)

10 Paid holidays + winter break

Up to 5% 401(k) match

Disability and life insurance

Parental leave and support

Annual wellness stipend

Job summary

Helion in Everett, WA, is seeking a hands-on engineer to operate and advance the most powerful pulsed-fusion device. As part of the Research and Development team, you will contribute to the safe, reliable execution of fusion experiments, from pre-shot setup to data interpretation.

You will own system readiness, diagnose issues in high-energy vacuum and capacitor systems, and drive improvements in performance and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of related experience or Master’s with 2+ years in a relevant field.
• Hands-on experience with high-vacuum chamber systems or high-voltage capacitor systems.
• Proven ability to operate safely and reliably in high-energy experimental environments.

Responsibilities

• Operate and advance Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion experiments with safe, repeatable performance.
• Control and monitor pulsed power and high-energy systems, ensuring readiness and reliability.
• Own system readiness for experiments, including pre-shot setup, checks, and analysis.
• Identify and resolve issues in high-energy vacuum and diagnostic systems to minimize downtime.
• Apply plasma physics concepts to interpret diagnostics and experimental results.
• Drive continuous improvement of machine operations and reduce variability in results.
• Collaborate across engineering, science, and production to improve throughput.

Skills

High vacuum systems

High-voltage capacitors

System uptime & reliability

Experiment execution

Diagnostics & troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Education

B.S. or M.S. in relevant field

Tools

Vacuum chamber systems

High-voltage capacitor systems

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 help operate and advance the most powerful, pulsed-fusion device ever constructed to generate electrical power. As a member of the Research and Development team, you will play a critical role in the safe, reliable, and repeatable operation of high-energy fusion systems. You will contribute to the execution of fusion experiments, system readiness, and continuous improvement of machine performance.

You Will:

• Operate and support the day‑to‑day execution of Field‑Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion experiments, ensuring safe and repeatable machine performance
• Control and monitor pulsed power systems, including mega‑joule capacitor banks and high‑energy infrastructure, with a focus on operational reliability and readiness
• Own system readiness for experiments, including pre‑shot setup, system checks, troubleshooting, and analysis
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve issues in high‑energy and large‑scale vacuum systems to minimize downtime and improve operational efficiency
• Apply plasma physics concepts to support experiment execution and interpret diagnostics for magnetic fields, fusion products, and plasma characteristics
• Drive continuous improvement of machine operations, including refining procedures, improving system robustness, and reducing variability in experimental results
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with engineering, science, and production teams to improve system performance and operational throughput

Required Skills:

• B.S. with 4+ years of relevant experience, or M.S. with 2+ years of relevant experience in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• Extensive hands‑on experience operating, maintaining, or improving high‑vacuum chamber systems or high‑voltage capacitor systems
• Experience owning system uptime, reliability, and performance, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis
• Proven experience executing complex experiments or operations with a focus on repeatability, safety, and continuous improvement
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn new technologies and take ownership of operational systems
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to respond effectively to real‑time issues with minimal supervision
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team and contribute to a high‑performance operational environment
• Experience mentoring or training others in system operation is a plus

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.