Job Application for Chemical Engineering Summer Intern at Helion Energy

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:

As a Chemical Engineer Intern on the Fuel Cycle team, you will gain hands-on experience in aspects of working within the wet lab environment. Our mission on the Fuel Cycle team is to research and develop the fuel cycle for Helion’s fusion generators (delivery, recovery, transport, storage, and tritium science) from R&D to commercial scales. You will immerse yourself in advanced catalyst characterization, working with XRD, XRF, ICP, and physi-/chemi-sorption techniques to drive innovation in fusion energy. You’ll evaluate catalyst performance in hydrogen purification apparatus and deliver a comprehensive report detailing your findings. Your recommendations will shape optimizations and future developments. This internship is designed for students eager to apply their technical skills in a dynamic, high-tech environment.

You Will:

Work in the Wet Lab including synthesis and characterization, and evaluation of heterogenous catalysts
Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses using specified techniques
Operate instruments and equipment such as chemi-physi-sorption and analytical x-ray machines
Ensure accurate data entry and interpretate analytical results
Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations summarizing research findings, and effectively communicate the key results and deliverables to stakeholders

Required Skills:

Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2025
Currently enrolled in Graduate (Master or PhD) degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or a related field
GPA of 3.0 or above
Basic understanding of wet chemistry, surface science, and catalysis
Hands-on experience with characterizing and analyzing catalyst materials using techniques such as XRD, XRF, SEM, ICP, chemi-/physi-sorption
Familiarity with laboratory techniques, equipment operation, writing lab reports, and data analysis

Base Pay:

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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Chemical Engineering Summer Intern

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