Experimental Scientist
Location
Everett, WA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Science
Compensation
$150K – $200K • Offers Equity
Overview
Application
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:
Helion is hiring an Experimental Scientist to support the development, deployment, calibration, and operation of plasma diagnostics for Helion’s fusion generators. In this role, you will contribute to hands-on experimental work across plasma diagnostics, test campaigns, and high-vacuum systems while partnering closely with scientists, engineers, machine operators, and data teams. This is an onsite role that reports directly to our Director of Plasma and Nuclear Science at our Everett, WA office.
You Will:
Support the design, build, deployment, calibration, and commissioning of plasma diagnostic systems for Helion’s fusion generators, operating with autonomy on defined tasks and workstreams while escalating technical risks or tradeoffs when appropriate
Contribute to the operation and troubleshooting of plasma diagnostics used to evaluate plasma parameters such as density, temperature, current profiles, and other key performance indicators
Work cross-functionally with plasma physics, machine operations, controls, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and data science teams to support diagnostic readiness for experimental campaigns and testbeds
Develop hands-on expertise in pre-ionization plasma diagnostics, helping establish consistent methods and practices that support next-generation fusion device development
Analyze diagnostic data to identify trends, support experimental interpretation, and inform operational tuning, hardware improvements, or follow-up testing
Document experimental procedures, calibration methods, test results, and lessons learned to improve consistency, reliability, and knowledge sharing across Helion’s experimental programs
Required Skills:
Ph.D. in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, with a focus on plasma science, diagnostics, or high-vacuum instrumentation
Relevant hands-on experience with plasma systems, advanced laboratory environments, high-vacuum systems, pulsed-power systems, or complex experimental hardware
Experience supporting the design, build, calibration, troubleshooting, or operation of plasma diagnostics such as interferometry, spectroscopy, Langmuir probes, magnetic coils, electrostatic diagnostics, optical diagnostics, or related measurement systems
Ability to operate autonomously on day-to-day technical tasks, apply critical thinking across multiple inputs, and escalate issues appropriately when technical risk, scope, or priority requires broader alignment
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.
Apply for this Job
Powered by
Privacy PolicySecurityVulnerability Disclosure
Listed by Helion for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Senior Experimental Scientist
Location
Everett, WA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Science
Compensation
$210K – $250K
Overview
Application
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:
Helion is hiring a Senior Experimental Scientist to support and advance the plasma diagnostics capability for Helion’s fusion generators. In this role, you will be a key technical contributor for the design, deployment, calibration, and interpretation of plasma diagnostics across experimental campaigns and testbeds. This is an onsite role that reports directly to our Director of Plasma and Nuclear Science at our Everett, WA office.
You Will:
Lead the design, build, deployment, calibration, and commissioning of plasma diagnostic systems for Helion’s fusion generators, with guidance from senior technical leadership on broader priorities and roadmap alignment
Serve as a go-to technical contributor for a defined diagnostics scope, helping evaluate plasma parameters such as density, temperature, current profiles, and other key performance indicators
Partner cross-functionally with plasma physics, machine operations, controls, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and data science teams to align diagnostic capabilities with experimental and operational needs
Develop foundational expertise in pre-ionization plasma diagnostics, establishing best practices and internal methodologies that inform next-generation fusion device development optimized for energy gain and power conversion
Analyze diagnostic data in real time to extract actionable insights about plasma behavior, inform operational tuning, and identify opportunities for performance optimization and system redesign
Contribute to best practices, documentation, and internal methods for plasma diagnostics, helping improve consistency, reliability, and scalability across Helion’s experimental programs
Required Skills:
Ph.D. in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, with a focus on plasma science, diagnostics, or high-vacuum instrumentation
3+ years of relevant experience with plasma systems, advanced laboratory environments, high-vacuum systems, pulsed-power systems, or complex experimental hardware
Hands-on experience designing, building, calibrating, troubleshooting, or operating plasma diagnostics such as interferometry, spectroscopy, Langmuir probes, magnetic coils, electrostatic diagnostics, optical diagnostics, or related measurement systems
Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical workstreams while collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders across science and engineering teams
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.
Apply for this Job
Powered by
Privacy PolicySecurityVulnerability Disclosure
Listed by Helion for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Senior Computational Plasma Scientist - Kinetic / PIC Modeling
Location
Everett, WA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Science
Compensation
$200K – $240K
Overview
Application
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:
Helion is hiring a Senior Computational Plasma Scientist to run and interpret kinetic / Particle-in-Cell simulations that help advance our understanding of plasma behavior in Helion’s fusion generators. In this role, you will use tools such as WarpX or similar PIC codes to design simulation campaigns, analyze large-scale field and particle outputs, and compare results against experimental data from Helion’s operating machines. You will focus on turning kinetic simulations into actionable physics insight for topics such as plasma startup, RF/plasma interactions, particle transport, sheath behavior, and other effects that may not be fully captured by fluid or MHD models. This position reports to the Manager of Computational Science at our Everett, WA office and plays a key role in advancing Helion’s path toward fusion electricity.
You Will:
Run kinetic / Particle-in-Cell simulations using WarpX or similar PIC codes to study plasma behavior relevant to Helion’s FRC systems
Develop simulation input decks, PICMI scripts, parameter scans, and repeatable workflows for targeted kinetic modeling studies
Analyze field, particle, and diagnostic outputs from large-scale PIC simulations using Python or similar scientific computing tools
Compare kinetic simulation results against experimental measurements and translate findings into clear physical insight
Partner with experimental scientists, diagnostics engineers, RF engineers, and MHD modelers to determine where PIC modeling can add the most value
Build analysis scripts, visualizations, and reduced data products that make complex simulation results usable across teams
Required Skills:
PhD in Plasma Physics, Applied Physics, Computational Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
3+ years of post-graduation experience running, analyzing, or interpreting kinetic / Particle-in-Cell plasma simulations in academic, national lab, or industry settings
Strong understanding of kinetic plasma physics and Particle-in-Cell modeling methods
Experience running and interpreting PIC simulations using WarpX, OSIRIS, VPIC, EPOCH, Smilei, LSP, FBPIC, or comparable codes
Experience designing simulation campaigns, including input setup, boundary conditions, parameter scans, convergence checks, and validation workflows
Strong scientific programming skills in Python, MATLAB, Julia, C++, Fortran, or similar languages for simulation analysis and visualization
Ability to communicate complex simulation results clearly to computational, experimental, and cross-functional audiences
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.
Apply for this Job
Powered by
Privacy PolicySecurityVulnerability Disclosure
Listed by Helion for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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: Helion is hiring a Principal Experimental Scientist to lead the development of our RF pre-ionization capability for Helion’s fusion generators. In this role, you will own the strategy, technical direction, and execution of RF plasma source development for our FRC system, translating plasma physics goals into robust experimental hardware and operational capability. You will develop, optimize, and validate high-performance RF systems to achieve target plasma density, stability, and coupling efficiency, while defining the diagnostic and experimental approach needed to measure and improve performance. As a principal-level scientist, you will integrate cross-functional input from plasma physics, controls, machine operations, electrical engineering, and data science to mature RF pre-ionization from experimental concept into reliable platform capability. You will also help establish Helion’s long-term technical roadmap and internal best practices for RF-driven plasma startup and next-generation machine development. This is an onsite role reporting directly to our Director of Plasma and Nuclear Science in Everett, WA.
You Will:
Own the end-to-end technical development of Helion’s RF pre-ionization capability for FRC startup, including concept development, experimental design, execution, validation, and performance improvement
Lead hands-on experimental work spanning RF hardware, antenna and coupling design, plasma diagnostics, and operational procedures to deliver repeatable plasma startup performance
Develop and optimize high-performance RF plasma source systems to achieve targeted plasma density, stability, and coupling efficiency
Define and deploy the diagnostic strategy needed to characterize RF-driven plasma formation, coupling behavior, and startup performance, ensuring high-fidelity data and actionable insight
Integrate cross-disciplinary technical input across plasma physics, machine operations, controls, electrical engineering, and data science to align RF development with Helion’s machine roadmap
Partner with technical leadership on strategic planning, long-range roadmap development, and identification of new RF/plasma startup concepts for future Helion systems
Required Skills:
Ph.D. in physics, plasma physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline with strong relevance to RF plasma systems, plasma sources, or fusion experimentation
10+ years of experience in advanced laboratory or R&D environments, including substantial hands-on work with plasma generation systems, RF hardware, vacuum systems, and experimental campaign execution
Deep expertise in RF plasma source development, antenna/coupling design, RF-plasma interactions, or related high-energy plasma hardware
Strong background in plasma diagnostics and data interpretation, with experience using measurement systems to evaluate plasma parameters such as density, temperature, stability, coupling, and current behavior
Demonstrated track record of independently leading complex experimental programs from concept through validation, including cross-functional technical coordination and translation of results into system improvements
Recognized subject matter expertise in one or more areas relevant to RF-assisted plasma startup, pre-ionization physics, experimental plasma systems, or fusion-enabling hardware
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.
Listed by Helion for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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:
We are looking for a Principal Experimental Plasma Scientist to lead the plasma diagnostic effort of Helion's fusion generators. This is an onsite role that reports directly to our Director of Plasma and Nuclear Science at our Everett, WA office.
You Will:
Own the end-to-end design and deployment of a comprehensive suite of plasma diagnostics, collaborating closely with physicists, engineers, designers, and data analysts to ensure robust, scalable instrumentation that meets both experimental and operational requirements
Integrate cross-disciplinary technical input from experts across Helion—including plasma physics, machine operations, controls, and data science—to align diagnostic capabilities with real-time operational needs and long-term scientific milestones
Lead the hands-on execution of assembly, installation, calibration, and commissioning processes for diagnostics across multiple campaigns and testbeds. Ensure high data fidelity through rigorous validation and alignment procedures
Develop foundational expertise in pre-ionization plasma diagnostics, establishing best practices and internal methodologies that inform next-generation fusion device development optimized for energy gain and power conversion
Analyze diagnostic data in real time to extract actionable insights about plasma behavior, inform operational tuning, and identify opportunities for performance optimization and system redesign
Partners with leadership across the organization, contributing to strategic planning, roadmap development, and long-term technical vision
Required Skills:
Ph.D. in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, with a focus on plasma science, diagnostics, or high-vacuum instrumentation
10+ years of experience working in advanced laboratory environments, with extensive hands-on work involving plasma generation, plasma systems, and UHV vacuum infrastructure
Demonstrated track record using diagnostic measurements (e.g., interferometry, spectroscopy, Langmuir probes, magnetic coils, electrostatic diagnostics) to evaluate plasma parameters such as density, temperature, and current profiles, directly influencing system improvements
Deep expertise and unique domain knowledge in multiple areas of plasma diagnostics and fusion engineering. Recognized as a subject matter expert who operates independently
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.
Listed by Helion for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.