Senior Materials Technologist

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.

What You Will Be Doing:

You will apply advanced technical expertise to support engineering research, development, and manufacturing through hands-on materials testing, analytical system operation, and precision fabrication. In this role, you will independently execute complex test workflows, configure and maintain equipment, and troubleshoot technical issues to ensure diagnostic readiness and high-quality results. You will collaborate closely with engineers to translate test requirements into reliable, real-world setups, while using critical thinking and sound judgment to solve problems and improve processes.

You will also mentor junior Technologists and communicate findings through clear data analysis and reporting that informs engineering decisions.

You Will:

Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot materials testing and analytical equipment, including load frames, profilometers, durometers, microscopy systems, and SEMExecute test plans in accordance with ASTM standards or collaborate with engineers to develop custom test methodologies, including sample preparation, fixturing, and data analysis

Configure and validate test setups to ensure accurate, repeatable results and alignment with engineering intent

Document procedures, calibration activities, and test results with clarity and discipline to support quality and traceability

Analyze and communicate data effectively to inform design decisions and improve system performance

Lead troubleshooting efforts across mechanical systems, instrumentation, and workflows, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions

Design and fabricate fixtures and components to support testing needs, ensuring precision and reliability

Provide mentorship and technical guidance to early career Technologists on equipment operation, fabrication techniques, and safe work practices

Develop working knowledge of radiation safety practices, including contamination control, monitoring techniques, and controlled-area workflows

Partner with engineers to interpret requirements and translate them into robust testing processes that generate meaningful performance data

Required Skills:

8+ years of hands-on experience operating mechanical testing systems and analytical instrumentation in a similar technical environment

Strong proficiency in materials testing equipment and imaging tools, including mechanical test frames and microscopy systems

Extensive hands-on fabrication experience, including fixture design, assembly, and precision measurement

Demonstrated ability to execute structured test workflows and produce reliable, high-quality data Experience troubleshooting complex mechanical and instrumentation issues, with the ability to independently…