Fuel Cycle Engineering Lead

Overview

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 investors to propel us forward. Our prototypes include Trenta, which completed 10,000 high-power pulses and reached plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius (9 keV). We are now operating Polaris, our next prototype on the path to the world's first fusion power plant.

This is a pivotal time to join Helion. You will tackle real-world challenges with a team that prizes urgency, rigor, ownership, and a commitment to delivering hard truths – values essential to achieving what no one has before. Together, we will change the future of energy, because the world can't wait.

• Lead, develop, and empower a multidisciplinary team of engineers owning the architecture, design, procurement, installation, and validation of Orion’s fuel cycle systems
• Drive design risk reduction by partnering with the Fuel Cycle Operations and R&D teams to test and validate design assumptions on in-house pilot scale systems and Polaris, enabling confident system delivery
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Special Projects, Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and broader engineering teams to define interface requirements, deliver fully integrated system designs, and delegate work appropriately
• Set the standard for design excellence by developing and reinforcing robust processes for fuel cycle system design reviews, bills of design, risk analyses, and mitigations, and management of change
• Translate strategic goals into actionable objectives, managing month-to-month planning, schedules, and priorities to ensure reliable and on-time delivery of high-impact projects
• Mentor and grow engineering talent, fostering technical depth, accountability, and career development

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of engineering experience, including 2+ years in an engineering leadership role
• Experience designing, delivering, and integrating pilot- or commercial-scale process systems
• Experience managing a multidisciplinary engineering team in a fast-paced environment
• Experience balancing design work, validation testing, and development projects in parallel
• Strong record of mentorship with demonstrated ability to coach and develop engineers
• Hands-on familiarity with chemical, mechanical, thermal and/or fluid systems engineering
• Comfort operating in a startup environment with change, ambiguity, and rapid execution

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

$135,000 - $170,000 USD

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

Helion is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.