Category Manager, Technical Equipment

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 $1.5 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors including Thrive Capital, Light Speed Venture Capital, Soft Bank, and others to propel us forward. Our current prototype, Polaris, has reached record-breaking plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius (13 keV). Helion is continuing to iterate and on the path to the world's first fusion power plant, Orion.

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.

Helion is seeking a seasoned Category Manager to lead the development and scaling of a world-class supply chain for the capital equipment that powers next-generation fusion energy systems. In this role, you will own strategic sourcing initiatives for the capital equipment and components critical to fusion energy production, from custom vacuum systems and power electronics to precision-machined assemblies and specialized manufacturing equipment.

You will build and manage critical supplier relationships, drive cost and capacity strategies, and play a key role in enabling Helion's mission to deliver fusion energy at scale.

This is a high-impact, onsite role based in Everett, WA, reporting to the Director of Supply Chain.

• Own the capital equipment category, sourcing custom equipment, components, and assemblies required to produce fusion energy in collaboration with engineering, science teams, and production. Drive cost reductions and secure vendor capacity to support schedule and budget requirements.

• Identify new capital equipment vendors and maintain strong relationships with existing vendors to develop a diverse and robust supply chain for fusion-critical systems.

• Lead bidding efforts for capital equipment purchases. Negotiate contract terms and manage existing contracts with vendors, including manufacturing service agreements, stocking programs, and non-disclosure agreements.

• Develop and execute category strategies for capital equipment that align with fusion program milestones, balancing cost, lead time, and technical risk.