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Materials Engineering Summer Intern

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).  

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: 

The materials engineering team at Helion is responsible for developing novel metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites necessary to successfully operate current and next generation nuclear fusion systems. The team also supports the continued operation of Polaris with on demand material characterization and analysis. As a Materials Engineering Intern, you'll assist in literature reviews to guide laboratory experiments and perform material characterization tests, including sample preparation, instrument operation, and data acquisition. Your work will support ongoing research and includes presenting results during weekly team meetings and at the year-end intern showcase. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop technical skills, collaborate with industry experts, and play an active part in shaping the future of clean energy. 

You Will: 

  • Assist in the research and development of new materials, including polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites
  • Conduct experiments to test the properties and performance of materials under various conditions
  • Analyze data from material tests and experiments to identify trends and optimize material properties
  • Support the characterization of materials using techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and mechanical testing
  • Contribute to the documentation and reporting of research findings, including technical reports and presentations
  • Participate in cross-functional team meetings to discuss project progress and challenges 

Required Skills: 

  • Ability to work full time, onsite for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2025 in Everett, WA
  • Currently enrolled in Bachelor’s or Graduate (Master’s or PhD) degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
  • GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Fundamental background in materials science principles, including material properties, thermodynamics, and mechanics
  • Experience with laboratory techniques and material characterization tools and a willingness to learn
  • Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with software tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or Origin)

 

Base Pay:

  • Bachelors/Master's: $30 / hour
  • PhD: $37 / 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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