Fuel Cycle Operations Engineer
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 over $600 million from investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group to propel us forward. Our last prototype, Trenta, completed 10,000 high-power pulses and reached plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius (9 keV).
Now we are working toward Polaris, which will be the first machine to demonstrate electricity from fusion, making this a great time to join Helion! Bring your skills, experiences, and determination to make a difference in the world. Together, we can make a future with unlimited clean electricity from fusion a reality.
What You Will Be Doing:
We are currently seeking a highly skilled and motivated Fuel Cycle Operations Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be at the forefront of testing, operating, maintaining, and improving advanced fuel processing equipment. This includes operating a range of complex gas transfer systems, such as those based on getter beds, vacuum pump trains, permeation membranes, and cryogenic separation technologies. Your role will be central in conducting gas analysis using techniques such as residual gas analysis, mass spectrometry and gas chromatography to ensure precision and efficiency. Your expertise will also be essential in troubleshooting equipment issues including leak testing and recommending equipment upgrades. This position offers you the chance to be a part of groundbreaking work in fusion and the opportunity to shape the future of fusion power plant operations.
You Will:
- Operate and maintain various gas separation systems, utilizing your hands-on experience to troubleshoot and make system improvements
- Conduct and analyze tests to ensure the quality and function of fuel processing equipment
- Write detailed technical documentation of test procedures and results
- Provide and implement technical recommendations for equipment and safety improvements
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate feedback into equipment operation and testing
Required Skills:
- 2+ years of hands-on build and operations experience with gas separation and/or high vacuum systems
- Experience in gas analysis using RGA, mass spectrometry and/or gas chromatography
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills
- Skilled in troubleshooting complex engineering systems within a fast-paced environment
#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1
Compensation and Benefits
At Helion, we are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation. We ensure all our roles are competitively benchmarked and our total compensation package includes a base salary, comprehensive benefits, and equity grants, giving you a true stake in Helion's success. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to maintaining internal equity, ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams.
This is an exempt salaried role.
Annual Base Pay
$97,000 - $129,000 USD
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)
- 13 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
NOTE: Underrepresented people are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of the job's requirements. We believe in hiring people, not checklists, and encourage you to apply even if you do not check all of the boxes. If this job isn't the one, we have many other openings that may be a fit.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. If we reach out to you to begin an interview process, we will also ask if you require any reasonable accommodation at that time.
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