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, LightSpeed Venture Capital, SoftBank, 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:
As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Helion, you will define and drive the architecture of our manufacturing systems as we scale from prototype builds to high-volume production. You will own manufacturing system strategy, lead the development of custom equipment and production systems, and serve as a technical authority across Manufacturing, Design, and Production. This role operates in a highly ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environment and requires balancing near-term execution with long-term scalability across future production lines.
This is an onsite role that reports directly to Factory Development Manager at our Everett, WA, office.
You Will:
Define manufacturing system architecture and long-term scalability strategy across production lines and future factory builds
Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that shape how Helion designs, builds, and scales manufacturing systems
Lead the development and commissioning of custom, precision manufacturing equipment and integrated production systems
Identify and prioritize high-impact investments across equipment, automation, and factory capabilities to enable step-change improvements in scale
Solve complex, ambiguous manufacturing challenges, making high-leverage technical decisions with company-wide impact
Serve as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction and elevating execution across teams
Required Skills:
12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems, ideally in high-volume or complex electromechanical environments
Demonstrated ownership of manufacturing systems or production lines from concept through production ramp at scale
Experience defining systems, processes, or architecture in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments
Proven track record of leading large, cross-functional engineering initiatives with broad organizational impact
Strong cross-functional leadership across Design Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities
Track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers
#LI-Onsite #LI-SA1
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.
Skills Required
- 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems
- Demonstrated ownership of manufacturing systems or production lines from concept through production ramp at scale
- Experience defining systems, processes, or architecture in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments
- Proven track record of leading large, cross-functional engineering initiatives with broad organizational impact
- Strong cross-functional leadership across Design Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities
- Track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers
- Onsite work at Everett, WA (reports to Factory Development Manager)
Helion Energy Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Helion Energy and has not been reviewed or approved by Helion Energy.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Compensation is considered competitive for many roles, with employer materials emphasizing competitively benchmarked pay. Total rewards commonly include salary plus equity and benefits that align with market expectations.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, and vision with options for fully employer‑paid premiums, HSA support, and core protections like life and disability. This breadth signals robust medical benefits for a growth‑stage company.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is broadly offered through stock options for all employees, positioning ownership as a meaningful part of total rewards. Employer communications consistently highlight equity participation as a differentiator.
Helion Energy Insights
What We Do
Helion is a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, with the mission to enable a future with unlimited clean energy. Our vision is a world with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for everyone. Currently, we are scaling up our latest fusion prototype to make our vision a reality. We’re hiring brilliant scientists, engineers, and builders passionate about developing world-changing technologies. If that sounds like you, check out our open positions.
