Senior Mechanical Engineer, Vacuum Systems

Fusion Energy Base; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

PTO 31 days

Paid holidays

401(k) match

Disability & life insurance

Parental leave

Wellness stipend

Job summary

Helion is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own vacuum-system hardware design for a pulsed fusion generator at our Everett, WA campus. You will collaborate across disciplines, solve complex engineering problems, and participate in full hardware commissioning with hands-on execution.

You will report to the Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering and help drive interfaces with other subsystems while expanding domain knowledge through hands-on work on integrated fusion generators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering.
• 5+ years of professional experience delivering full-scope engineering projects.
• Experience applying engineering first-principles and method-based thinking to challenging problems.
• Hands-on exposure to fluids, mechanical, controls.

Responsibilities

• 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-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.

Skills

Engineering principles

CAD: NX/SolidWorks

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Problem solving

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.

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.

• 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
• 5+ 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

• 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.