Job Description, Responsibilities & Requirements
About the Position
Principal Plasma Data Scientist
Helion, a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, is on a mission to build the world's first fusion power plant, enabling a future with unlimited clean electricity. We are seeking a Principal Plasma Data Scientist specializing in physics-grounded machine learning to accelerate experimental FRC plasma modeling.
Responsibilities
You will focus on developing and validating advanced machine learning frameworks, integrating these tools with simulation and diagnostics pipelines, and supporting cross-disciplinary fusion research. Key tasks include:
- Developing and validating machine learning frameworks for FRC plasma dynamics
- Integrating ML models with existing simulation tools and experimental diagnostics
- Reproducing experimental plasma conditions within ML modeling workflows
- Generating analysis scripts for post-processing and visualizing model outputs
- Collaborating with experts to expand the fidelity of ML-enabled modeling frameworks
- Communicating results through reports, presentations, and technical visualizations
Requirements
- PhD in Physics, Engineering, Applied Math, Computational Science, Machine Learning, or related field
- 10+ years of industry or research-lab experience applying machine learning in experimental, simulation-driven, or scientific R&D environments
- Expertise with physics-informed or physics-constrained ML methods
- Experience integrating ML models with scientific computing workflows, simulation tools, or experimental diagnostics
- Proficiency scripting for data parsing, model analysis, and visualization (MATLAB, Python, or similar; Fortran or HPC exposure valuable)
- Familiarity with magnetic diffusion, circuit coupling, or plasma dynamics modeling in pulsed-power or electromagnetics systems
We Offer
Our total compensation package includes:
- 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
About the Company
Helion is 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.
Compensation Range: $230K - $270K
Helion is an equal opportunity employer and values 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.