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Fuel Cycle Operations Lead

Everett, WA

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:

You will lead Helion's Fuel Cycle Operations team through a critical scaling phase, managing daily fuel handling operations and developing operational excellence in tritium processing systems. You will report to the Fuel Cycle Manager, onsite, located at our Everett office.

You Will:

  • Manage fuel cycle operations including gas handling, fuel processing, and waste material recovery procedures

  • Build a high-performing operations team through development of standardized procedures, safety protocols, and tritium certification programs

  • Manage operational planning and execution for tritium handling systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and safety standards

  • Collaborate with Fuel Cycle and Mechanical Engineering, Test Operations, and Radiation Safety Teams to implement process improvements and system upgrades

  • Establish and maintain important performance metrics for system availability, material recovery, and operational efficiency

Required Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related technical field

  • 4+ years of technical experience in chemical processing and gas handling systems

  • 1+ year leadership experience with demonstrated progression in responsibilities

  • Experience with hazardous materials handling and regulatory compliance, tritium experience is preferred

  • Track record of implementing safety protocols and operational procedures

  • Strong project management skills with ability to lead concurrent technical operations

#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

$115,000 - $145,000 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) 
  • 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  

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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