Director of WA Government Affairs

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 $1 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors SoftBank and Lightspeed 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). We are now operating Polaris, our next prototype on the path to the world's first fusion power plant.

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:

We're looking for a Director of WA Government Affairs to join our Public Affairs Team. The Public Affairs Director will lead Helion's policy and engagement strategies for the Pacific Northwest. This role will build relationships with policymakers, Tribal governments, regulators, labor and community leaders across the Pacific Northwest to advance next-generation clean energy projects through commercial fusion power delivered at scale.

You will report to the Senior Director of State & Local Affairs. This role requires regular presence at our headquarters in Everett WA, the site of the world's first commercial fusion power plant in Wenatchee WA, in the state capitol Olympia WA, and other Pacific Northwest communities as Helion scales.

You Will:

• Advance state and local legislation and regulatory policies that enable fusion energy at scale

• Lead stakeholder engagement for Helion's siting and permitting efforts in the Pacific Northwest

• Build partnerships with Tribal Nations, community groups, and advocacy organizations in support of fusion energy policies

• Represent the company in hearings, community meetings, and policy forums

• Engage Tribal Nations, stakeholders, elected officials, and community groups in advance of permitting and incorporate feedback to inform siting decisions

Required Skills:

• 8+ years in public affairs, government relations, or energy policy

• Proven experience leading state or local policymaking efforts

• Experience with permitting infrastructure or energy projects a plus

• Strong communication, relationship management, and coalition-building skills

• Willingness to travel frequently throughout the Pacific Northwest to project sites and priority communities

• Experience with NEPA, SEPA (or comparable state processes), or utility and energy policy is beneficial but not required

Benefits

Our total compensation package includes 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)
• 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 value 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.