Technical Program Manager - HERCULES Everett, WA

What You Will Be Doing

You will be the Technical Project Manager for projects on the Nuclear Science team, including HERCULES – the Helion External Research Collaboration for Universities, Labs, and Enterprise Scientists. Through HERCULES, Helion will fund impactful research at universities, national labs, and research companies, totaling over $20M over three years in a phased approach. As administrator for this program, you will review proposals, work with Helion's business teams and the awardee to go from proposal to funded project, then guide the technical work in partnership with internal PIs through the lifecycle of the project.

Your superpower will be technical breadth, ensuring scientific alignment with Helion's objectives.

This is an onsite role that reports directly to the Director of Nuclear Science at our Everett, WA office.

• Lead the HERCULES program, totaling over $20M over three years
• Work on the cutting edge of research, contributing to the breadth of Helion's science and R&D spanning nuclear, materials, fuel, and pulsed power science. Partner with internal PIs across all of Helion's technical teams
• Evaluate proposal submissions, navigate contracts, disperse funds to research partners, guide technical work, and ensure on‑track deliverables
• Communicate externally to potential partners to advertise the program, and internally to leaders and executives on progress and impact – acting as the bridge between Helion leadership, PIs, and business units
• Teach partners how to move fast and accelerate, solving their largest blockers – supply chain, legal, and technical
• Jump in and ensure the delivery of internal Nuclear Science projects in parallel to external projects

Work across the cutting edge of nuclear scientific R&D, managing budgets, and accelerating TRL progress.

• PhD in science or engineering, or equivalent experience delivering impactful research through the scientific lifecycle in an academic or national lab setting
• Technical breadth across nuclear science, materials science, chemical engineering, experimental and computational plasma physics, and electrical engineering (pulsed power)
• Excellent communication skills – able to discuss science with scientists and executives, and translate technical information into concise memos and presentations
• Project management experience: managing multi‑year budgets totaling over $1M, reporting progress to stakeholders, driving schedule, and accelerating projects
• Track record of delivering products from TRL 3 to TRL 6 on an accelerated timeline

This position requires compliance with U.S. export control laws. Candidates must be a U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15.

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.

Annual Base Pay: $154,000 – $198,000 USD

This is an exempt salaried role.

• 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 values 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.