Fuel Cycle Engineering Summer Intern
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).
At Helion, our internship program places you at the core of fusion technology development, giving you hands-on experience with impactful projects and close collaboration with industry experts. Throughout the summer, you'll take on meaningful responsibilities that directly contribute to the future of clean energy. With the support of experienced managers and mentors, you’ll gain insights into our fast-paced operations, taking full ownership of your work while pushing innovation forward. All internships take place onsite at our headquarters in Everett, WA.
What You Will Be Doing:
Helion’s Fuel Cycle Team is focused on recycling gas from the machine’s vacuum system, separating unspent fuel from fusion byproducts. As an intern, you will work on these separation systems, learning the technology and related systems (vacuum, cryogenics, etc.). Your tasks will include optimizing system parameters, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and modifying the test setup. At the end of the internship, you will present your findings and recommendations.
You Will:
- Learn and operate a separation technology used in Helion’s fuel cycle, while understanding the system on a conceptual level
- Adhere to safety protocols and gain hands-on experience with the test stand operation
- Optimize specific system parameters and present a report detailing your process and results at the end of the internship
- Explore potential system improvements and conduct independent experiments to further enhance the technology
Required Skills:
- Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2025
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, or Industrial Engineering
- GPA of 3.0 or above
- Strong data analysis and programming in MATLAB, python, Excel, or other programming languages
- Ability to learn how a system operates and run it independently
- Basic understanding of chemistry and fluids (undergraduate level)
Base Pay:
- $30 / hour
#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1
Compensation and Benefits
At Helion, we are committed to fostering an equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation. For our internships, compensation is paid at an hourly base rate and is competitively benchmarked. All interns will also receive a one-time stipend at the start of their internship. Note that compensation for our internships is non-negotiable. Benefits will include paid holidays, sick time, wellness stipend, company and team events, and more to ensure a great experience for all of our interns!
- Interns receive a $5,000 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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