Mechanical Engineer at Helion (Everett, WA)
Helion· Everett, WA· $120k–$182k·
Role details
Medical, Dental, And Vision Plans · 31 Days Of PTO · 10 Paid Holidays · Up To 5% Employer 401(K) Match · Short Term Disability · Long Term Disability · Life Insurance · Paid Parental Leave
Helion at a glance
Helion is building the world's first fusion power plant to deliver clean, reliable baseload electricity straight from fusion, no steam turbine required.
Helion designs and builds pulsed, field-reversed-configuration fusion machines that fire and compress plasmas to fusion temperatures and then recover the energy directly as electricity, skipping the steam-turbine step used by most other fusion and nuclear designs. Its long-term fuel is deuterium plus helium-3, aimed at smaller, cheaper, factory-buildable plants that supply always-on carbon-free power to the grid.
$1.5B raised · latest: Series G · $465M · 2026 · backed by Thrive Capital, Sam Altman, Dustin Moskovitz (Good Ventures), Reid Hoffman
Summary
Design and develop hardware for fusion devices, solving complex multidisciplinary engineering problems. The role involves owning subsystem designs, performing analysis using CAD and simulation tools, and collaborating with a fast-moving team to deploy fusion energy at scale.
Job description
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: You will own the design and development of hardware for Helion’s fusion devices. In this role, you will solve complex, multidisciplinary engineering problems critical to deploying fusion energy at scale. You will collaborate closely with engineers and technicians while contributing to the culture and growth of a fast-moving team. This is an onsite role located at our Everett, WA office. You Will:
- Own and improve subsystem designs including electromagnetic, structural, fluid, thermal, and control systems
- Learn from historical engineering approaches and design novel hardware for testing and integration into Helion’s fusion devices
- Design hardware in CAD software such as NX or SolidWorks
- Perform analysis using tools like ANSYS and lead design reviews to incorporate feedback and iterate toward functioning systems
- Expand your engineering skills and domain knowledge by learning from experts
- Work hands-on with experienced technicians to build and implement hardware designs
- Troubleshoot hardware issues on integrated fusion generators as they arise
Required Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
- 3+ years of professional experience delivering full-scope engineering projects, including schedule ownership
- Experience applying first-principles and method-based thinking to solve technical problems
- Hands-on exposure to multiple engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, and fluids
- Advanced experience with CAD software (e.g., NX, SolidWorks)
- Experience with FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, FEMAP)
#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1
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.
Why work at Helion
- Culture: “Urgency, rigor, ownership, and hard truths” – a mission‑driven environment focused on solving the hardest problems in fusion engineering.
- Work: Hands‑on with real hardware (capacitors, magnets, plasma diagnostics) across mechanical, electrical, and physics disciplines.
- Location: Based in the Pacific Northwest (Everett & Chelan County) with immediate access to skiing, hiking, and water sports.
- Benefits: Premier medical/vision/dental (fully employer‑paid options), HSA contributions, wellness stipend, 5% 401(k) match, stock options, up to 12 weeks paid parental leave + 4 weeks for birthing parents, 21 vacation days, 10 sick days, 11 holidays + winter break.
- Hybrid/Remote: Not explicitly stated; roles appear to be on‑site in Washington (given the hardware‑focused nature).
- Open Roles: Engineers (mechanical, electrical, simulation, controls), magnet analysts, experimental scientists, technicians, machinists – over 100 positions listed.