Experimental Scientist Manager

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.

We are looking for an Experimental Scientist Manager to join our team of scientists and engineers in the design, implementation, and testing of devices and technologies aimed at enhancing fusion plasma performance. As the Manager of Experimental Plasma Physics, you will manage a team of experimental plasma scientists. You will report directly to our Director of Research at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

• Lead a team of scientists and engineers who will apply their knowledge and expertise in plasma physics to optimize Helion’s fusion devices
• Present scientific progress updates during internal meetings and conferences
• Create the team roadmap taking into consideration test plan development and execution, build time and execution, and total device integration
• Collaborate with other scientists and engineers in the development and testing of experimental instrumentation and procedures
• Oversee projects specific to experimental plasma science such as E&M probes; plasma pre-ionization; plasma-material interaction; device design and requirements; full device data collection, analysis and interpretation in coordination with other teams
• Drive schedule ownership and optimization by team members to accelerate milestones
• Drive design, analysis, and process improvements to increase throughput

Required Skills:

• Advanced degree in physics, or a related physical science discipline with a minimum of 5 years of scientific research experience and at least 3 years of experience managing a team of scientists or engineers in a research, development, or technology setting
• Experience working with and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing complex inter-departmental projects (including schedule ownership)
• Demonstrated experience in applied physics, building and designing hardware

Per Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act the range for this position is $117,000-$175,000. Actual salary is based on education, experience, and other qualifying skill sets.

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.