Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Machining

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 $1 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group and new investors SoftBank and Lightspeed 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're turning up operations for Polaris, working towards delivering the world's first fusion power plant.

More than ever, it's a pivotal time to join us and have the opportunity to solve real challenges to create a better energy future. You will see first-hand how we value urgency, rigor, ownership, and hard truths, knowing it will take each to do what no one has before. Joining us, you will push the boundaries of what's possible and transform humanity for the better - because the world can't wait.

What you'll be doing:

We are hiring a Manufacturing Engineer- CNC Machining to own design, implementation, and refinement of critical production systems. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams (machining, design engineering, mechanical engineering, supply chain, and production), directly impact the commissioning timeline for Helion's first power plant and lay the groundwork for Helion's transition to generator mass-manufacturing.

You Will:

• Bring a data-driven approach to the hardest challenges impacting power plant production timeline
• Interface between design and machining teams to quick turn medium to large-volume part orders
• Analyze justifications, purchase new capital equipment (mills, lathes, parts washing, deburring, etc), and own their implementation from start to finish
• Design and implement holistic work holding and cutting tool assembly strategies that improve productivity/quality and reduce programming and changeover time
• Partner with design engineering to ensure excellent DFM (design for manufacturability)
• Gather data (labor hours, cycle times, scrap, etc.) to proactively identify production bottlenecks, and propose and deploy solutions (design changes, process changes, equipment, automation, etc.)

Required Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience, with a minimum of 6 years experience in precision machine shops
• Hands-on engineering and/or manufacturing experience in high-volume CNC machining environments
• Proficiency in modeling and CNC programming (NX, SolidWorks, Mastercam, etc) and Tool Management Systems (Zoller)
• Proficiency utilizing ERP/MES systems (Netsuite, First Resonance- Ion, etc) to create highly effective process routers, BOMs, work instructions, and inspection data collection plans that streamline workflow
• Proficiency and application of GD&T via manual methods, mobile/fixed CMMs, Laser Trackers, etc
• Demonstrated success in cradle-to-grave ownership of complex machining workflows

#LI-Onsite #LI-MT1

Compensation and Benefits

At 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

$123,000-$164,000 USD

Benefits

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

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.