Job Description, Responsibilities & Requirements
About the Position
Principal Power Electronics Engineer
We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Power Electronics Engineer to join our innovative team at Helion, based in Everett, WA. This role is pivotal in designing and optimizing high-power electrical systems for our fusion generators, focusing on energy delivery to pulsed magnetics, energy recovery systems, internal redistribution networks, and grid-tie infrastructure.
Location
Everett, WA
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Electrical Engineering
Compensation
- $235K – $270K
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.
Responsibilities
You will:
- Design, test, troubleshoot, and support high-voltage power systems for pulsed magnetic coils
- Oversee design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of systems delivering <1 ms pulses up to 5 MA and 40 kV
- Develop system architectures and collaborate with designers on schematics and installation drawings
- Lead design reviews to validate cost-effective, scalable, and reliable solutions
- Support commissioning and lifetime operation of generator power systems, identifying paths to optimize future builds
- Apply rigorous engineering practices, including ownership of cost, schedule, and resource planning for assigned projects
- Mentor electrical engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams to build technical capability across Helion
Requirements
- 12+ years experience in power electronics, solving complex electrical engineering problems from design to delivery
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- Hands-on experience designing, fabricating, installing, and testing electronic systems
- Strong knowledge of solid-state switching technologies and power components such as IGBTs, MOSFETs, and SCRs
- Technical depth in engineering principles, codes, and practices with experience coordinating deliverables to meet milestones
- Advanced troubleshooting skills with standard benchtop tools (oscilloscopes, E-loads, pulse generators, spectrum analyzers) and PCB design software
- Proficiency with tools such as Microsoft Office, LTSpice, SIMetrix/SIMPLIS, Altium, and MATLAB
We Offer
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
About the Company
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.
Compensation Range: $235K - $270K