
Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical
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 $1 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group and new investors SoftBank and Lightspeed 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're turning up operations for Polaris, working towards delivering the world's first fusion power plant.
More than ever, it's a pivotal time to join us and have the opportunity to solve real challenges to create a better energy future. You will see first-hand how we value urgency, rigor, ownership, and hard truths, knowing it will take each to do what no one has before. Joining us, you will push the boundaries of what's possible and transform humanity for the better - because the world can't wait.
What You Will Be Doing:
As a Supplier Development Engineer (Mechanical) you will solve technical problems, develop our supplier’s quality systems, and drive Helion’s shift from rapid prototyping to mass production of fusion generators—advancing our mission to deliver clean electricity to the planet. This position requires full-time onsite presence, and you will report to the Sr. Manager of Mechanical Engineering at our Everett, WA, location.
You Will:
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to understand design intent and ensure manufacturability of mechanical components and assemblies
- Evaluate and qualify suppliers by assessing manufacturing processes and quality systems; define technical and quality requirements
- Identify and develop new supplier capabilities in manufacturing and metrology to support scaling and new product introduction
- Drive improvements in quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics through data analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for supplier quality issues, coordinating across engineering, procurement, and production
- Develop and manage the production part approval process (PPAP), process controls, and compliance documentation; help build and scale Helion’s supplier quality program
- Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis, while coordinating between suppliers, engineers, buyers, and production
Required Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience
- 3+ years of experience in manufacturing mechanical systems (e.g., machining, assembly, fabrication)
- Experience managing external suppliers
- Knowledge of supplier quality processes (e.g., production part approval process, advanced product quality planning, first article inspection reports)
- Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods (e.g., design of experiments, Six Sigma)
- Strong analytical skills; applies first principles and method-based thinking to complex engineering problems
- Hands-on exposure to engineering disciplines or manufacturing methods
- Ability to travel 25–50%; valid driver’s license required
#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1
Total Compensation and Benefits
Helion's compensation package includes a competitively benchmarked base salary, meaningful equity grants, and comprehensive benefits. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to internal equity - ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams. We are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation.
This is an exempt salaried role.
Annual Base Pay
$104,000 - $130,000 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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