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Helion is a fusion power company on a mission to build the world's first commercial fusion power plant, enabling unlimited clean electricity. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Everett, WA, Helion has raised $1.5 billion from leading investors including Sam Altman, SoftBank, and Thrive Capital. The company's prototype, Polaris, has achieved record-breaking plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius, and the team is advancing toward Orion, the planned first commercial fusion power plant.
As a Senior Engineering Technologist, you will be a hands-on technical expert supporting advanced research, development, and manufacturing. You will independently execute complex test workflows, operate and maintain sophisticated materials testing and analytical equipment, and troubleshoot technical issues to ensure diagnostic readiness and high-quality results. Your work will directly inform critical engineering decisions in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting materials testing and analytical equipment (load frames, profilometers, durometers, microscopy systems, SEM)
- Executing test plans in accordance with ASTM standards or developing custom test methodologies with engineers
- Configuring and validating test setups to ensure accurate, repeatable results aligned with engineering intent
- Documenting procedures, calibration activities, and test results with rigor to support quality and traceability
- Analyzing and communicating data effectively to drive design decisions and system performance improvements
- Leading troubleshooting efforts across mechanical systems and instrumentation, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions
- Designing and fabricating fixtures and components to support testing needs with precision
- Mentoring junior Technologists on equipment operation, fabrication techniques, and safe work practices
- Developing working knowledge of radiation safety practices, contamination control, and controlled-area workflows
- Partnering with engineers to translate requirements into robust testing processes
You will work in a culture that values urgency, rigor, ownership, and delivering hard truths—essential to achieving what no one has before.
Requirements:
- 8+ years of hands-on experience operating mechanical testing systems and analytical instrumentation in similar technical environments
- 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 ability to independently identify root causes and drive solutions
- Strong technical documentation skills, with attention to procedural rigor, calibration standards, and quality control
- Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers to translate design intent into practical testing solutions
- Familiarity with controlled, high-risk, or radiological environments preferred, including adherence to safety and contamination control protocols
- Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in fast-paced technical environments
