Principal Mechanical Engineer

About HelionWe 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.  What You Will Be Doing:We are hiring a Principal Mechanical Engineer to own hardware designs for Helion's fusion generator prototypes. You will solve multidisciplinary engineering problems that are necessary for deploying fusion energy to the world and act as a culture driver on a growing team. You will report directly to our Senior Manager of Engineering at our Everett, WA office.You Will:Own and understand subsystem designs such as electromagnetic, structural, fluid, thermal and control systems, and improve their requirementsLearn from historical engineering approaches, design novel hardware, and test your solutionsDesign fusion hardware within 3D CAD software (e.g. NX, Solidworks)Perform analysis with tools like ANSYS and hold design reviews to gather feedback and iterate to a fully functioning systemLearn from experts to expand your engineering skillset and domain knowledgeWork hands-on alongside experienced technicians to implement your hardware designsTroubleshoot hardware issues as they arise on integrated fusion generatorsRequired Skills:Bachelor's degree and 12+ years experience or master's degree and 8+ years of experienceProfessional experience delivering on full-scope engineering projects (including schedule ownership)Experience applying engineering first-principles and method-based thinking to challenging problemsHands-on exposure to a variety of engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, fluids)Advanced experience with CAD software (e.g. NX, Solidworks)Advanced experience with FEA software (e.g. ANSYS Maxwell, FEMAP)Advanced experience with GD&T and generating engineering drawings per ASME Y14.5Compensation and BenefitsAt Helion, we are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation. We ensure all our roles are competitively benchmarked and our total compensation package includes a base salary, comprehensive benefits, and equity grants, giving you a true stake in Helion's success. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to maintaining internal equity, ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams.This is an exempt salaried role.Annual Base Pay$170,000—$221,000 USDBenefitsOur 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  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.