Job Application for Plasma Diagnostics 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 Plasma Diagnostics Intern you will work collaboratively to conceive, design, test, and deploy optical diagnostic components and systems that help us understand the performance of our fusion machines. Non-invasive optical probes are essential to our understanding of physical parameters in the core of our plasma and allow us to fine tune the operation of the machine to achieve fusion. We deploy a suite of optical probes that measure a wide range of plasma parameters such as density, temperature, plasma shape, and many more.

You Will:

Prototype and bench test optical diagnostics, for example polarimetry or components of optical interferometers
Understand basic operations and bench test potential upgrades to performance (e.g., on polarimetry or interferometry)

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 degree (Master’s or PhD) in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with relevant experience in plasmas
GPA of 3.0 or above
Basic understanding of benchtop optical test and measurement
Basic proficiency with optical fiber alignment
General optical lab experience/ basic knowledge of laser and laser safety
Proficiency with analysis software such as MATLAB or Python
Optical modeling software skills such as Zemax a plus, but not necessary

Base Pay:

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

#LI-Onsite #LI-MT1

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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Plasma Diagnostics Summer Intern

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