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Control System Engineer

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 $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'll Be Doing

We're seeking a Control Systems Engineer to develop, maintain, and enhance control and data acquisition (DAQ) systems critical to our fusion and plasma technology programs. You'll work cross-functionally to design and implement sub-systems that support the operation of large-scale fusion machines. This role involves full-stack control systems development—including GUI/HMI design, state machine programming, hardware integration, high-speed data capture, visualization, network communication, and documentation. This is an onsite role that reports to our R&D manager at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

  • Build LabVIEW-based control systems using PXIe/cRIO/RIO on Windows or Linux RT
  • Develop GUIs for machine control, monitoring, and data display
  • Integrate modular subsystems (e.g., PLCs, cRIOs) into broader control architectures
  • Implement communication protocols (e.g., RS-232, VISA, TCP/IP) to interface with devices such as flow controllers, gauge controllers, turbopumps, and oscilloscopes
  • Support sensor integration for machine diagnostics and physics data
  • Execute bench testing, system verification, and deployment
  • Troubleshoot and support system operation
  • Maintain detailed documentation and communicate progress to stakeholders

Required Qualifications

  • B.S. in CS, EE, ME, or related field with 3+ years' experience (or M.S. with 1+ year)
  • Proficient in LabVIEW, including GUI and control system development
  • Experience with PXI/PXIe/cRIO hardware and industrial protocols
  • Experience with integrating and programming automation hardware
  • Strong documentation skills including code, system schematics, and user documentation
  • Experience with driving technical work, while collaborating with cross-functional teams

#LI-Onsite #LI-TM1

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

$123,000 - $164,000 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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