Senior Computational Plasma Scientist - MHD

About the Position

Senior Computational Plasma Scientist - MHD

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.

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:

• Run our internal MHD code to simulate FRC dynamics for a wide range of simulation conditions from the initial setup to the postprocessing of the results
• Calculate FRC dynamics, circuit response, and magnetic loads to help develop our fusion generators
• Perform analysis to interpret experimental measurements by reproducing the experimental conditions with our internal MHD code
• Collaborate with and learn from experts to expand your technical skillset and domain knowledge
• Communicate simulation results and findings with accuracy and rigor to both scientists and engineers by preparing reports, presentations, and graphics

Requirements

• PhD in Plasma Physics, Applied Physics, Computational Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• 3+ years of post-graduation experience running, analyzing, or interpreting MHD simulations in academic, national lab, or industry settings
• Demonstrated ability to apply magnetic field diffusion, eddy current physics, circuit response, and transient electromagnetic effects to simulation setup, interpretation, and engineering tradeoffs
• Strong understanding of FRC physics, with the ability to connect MHD simulation outputs to plasma behavior, experimental observations, and machine performance
• Experience writing scripts to analyze output, parse files, and create plots in a common coding language (e.g. MATLAB, Fortran, C, Python, etc.)
• Experience independently designing and executing simulation studies, including model setup, assumptions, parameter scans, validation checks, sensitivity studies, and interpretation of results
• Experience using computer simulation tools for circuit dynamics, fluid dynamics, transient magnetics, or plasma dynamics

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

Compensation Range: $200K - $240K

About the Company

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.

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.