Full-Time

Experiment and Test Engineer

Updated on 4/20/2024

Helion Energy

51-200 employees

Develops fusion power plants for clean energy

Energy

Compensation Overview

$115,000 - $175,000Annually

+ Equity + Medical + Dental + Vision + PTO + 401(k) match + Paid Parental Leave + Annual Wellness Stipend

Junior, Mid

Everett, WA, USA

Requirements

B.S. or M.S in aerospace engineering, physics, or related field of study and 3+ years of experience with design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of high-power systems to drive pulsed coils (<1ms) at currents up to 5MA and voltages up to 40 kV
Experience in design, fabrication, installation, and test of high voltage electronics
Experience with solid state switching technologies and understanding of operating characteristics of power electronic components such as IGBTs, power MOSFETs, and SCRs
Experience in the design, build, and test approach of seeing a project from conception to completion
Demonstrated ability and desire to rapidly learn new systems
Demonstrated experience taking on complex problems, defining and accomplishing challenging objectives with minimum guidance
Experience with Microsoft Suite, LTSpice, SIMtrex/Simplis, KiCAD, Altium, Matlab
Work collaboratively and communicate effectively as a member of a team

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development and commissioning of high voltage electrical power systems for driving pulsed magnetic coils
Develop electrical system architecture and work with designers to produce electrical schematics and installation drawings for system upgrades
Design, assembly, test and deploy high power systems
Prepare experimental test plans and procedures, and present at test readiness reviews
Maintain experimental facilities and related support equipment such as capacitors, high-voltage power electronics, data acquisition systems, and diagnostics
Develop and validate technical specifications to comply with project requirements
Use critical reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of different technical solutions
Work with control systems, including LabView-based control systems and PXIe-NI chassis-based systems, and solve data collection problems in a fast-pulse EMI environment

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 over $600 million from investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group to propel us forward. Our last prototype, Trenta, completed 10,000 high-power pulses and reached plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius (9 keV).

Now we are working toward Polaris, which will be the first machine to demonstrate electricity from fusion, making this a great time to join Helion! Bring your skills, experiences, and determination to make a difference in the world. Together, we can make a future with unlimited clean electricity from fusion a reality.

What You Will Be Doing:

We are looking for an engineer with experience working with pulsed power systems to join the Test Operations team. As an experiment and test engineer, you will help design, test and operate experimental high-power, high voltage pulsed DC systems up to 40kV. These pulsed power systems will enable us to bring the most powerful, controlled pulsed-fusion device ever constructed online with the goal of generating electrical power. You will report to our Fusion Test Lead at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

Contribute to the development and commissioning of high voltage electrical power systems for driving pulsed magnetic coils
Develop electrical system architecture and work with designers to produce electrical schematics and installation drawings for system upgrades
Design, assembly, test and deploy high power systems
Prepare experimental test plans and procedures, and present at test readiness reviews
Maintain experimental facilities and related support equipment such as capacitors, high-voltage power electronics, data acquisition systems, and diagnostics
Develop and validate technical specifications to comply with project requirements
Use critical reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of different technical solutions
Work with control systems, including LabView-based control systems and PXIe-NI chassis-based systems, and solve data collection problems in a fast-pulse EMI environment.

Required Skills:

B.S. or M.S in aerospace engineering, physics, or related field of study and 3+ years of experience with design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of high-power systems to drive pulsed coils (<1ms) at currents up to 5MA and voltages up to 40 kV
Experience in design, fabrication, installation, and test of high voltage electronics
Experience with solid state switching technologies and understanding of operating characteristics of power electronic components such as IGBTs, power MOSFETs, and SCRs
Experience in the design, build, and test approach of seeing a project from conception to completion
Demonstrated ability and desire to rapidly learn new systems
Demonstrated experience taking on complex problems, defining and accomplishing challenging objectives with minimum guidance
Experience with Microsoft Suite, LTSpice, SIMtrex/Simplis, KiCAD, Altium, Matlab
Work collaboratively and communicate effectively as a member of a team

The pay range for this position is $115k-175k/YR. This pay range may be inclusive of several career levels and will be narrowed based on several factors, including the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

#LI-Onsite

Benefits and Compensation

Our total compensation package includes generous equity and 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)
13 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

NOTE: Underrepresented people are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of the job’s requirements. We believe in hiring people, not checklists, and encourage you to apply even if you do not check all of the boxes. If this job isn’t the one, we have many other openings that may be a fit.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. If we reach out to you to begin an interview process, we will also ask if you require any reasonable accommodation at that time.

Helion Energy

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Helion is at the forefront of developing the world's first fusion power plant, which utilizes deuterium and helium-3 to generate clean and abundant energy. This company excels in innovation with breakthroughs in plasma temperatures and sustainable energy technologies. Working at Helion offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge, significant advancements in the energy sector, within a culture that values leadership and technical achievement in clean energy production.

Company Stage

Series E

Total Funding

$2.3B

Headquarters

Everett, Washington

Founded

2013

Growth & Insights

Headcount

6 month growth

↑ 21%

1 year growth

↑ 48%

2 year growth

↑ 296%

Benefits

Medical, dental, & vision insurance

401k

Parental leave

Life & disability insurance

PTO

Equity

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