Director of Experimental Science

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.

What You Will Be Doing

We are looking for a Director of Experimental Science to lead a team of scientists and engineers in the design, implementation, and testing of devices and technologies aimed at enhancing fusion plasma performance. You will report directly to our Director of Plasma and Nuclear Science. You Will Build, grow, and lead a team of scientists and engineers who will apply their knowledge and expertise in plasma physics to optimize Helion’s fusion devices
Publish clear and concise summaries of experimental campaign results, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions and adjustments as needed
Work with Helion’s leadership to establish organizational roadmap, goals, and balance risks for the team that align with our strategy and take full ownership of accomplishing these goals
Oversee projects specific to experimental plasma science such as E&M probes; plasma pre-ionization; plasma-material interaction; device design and requirements; full device data collection, analysis and interpretation in coordination with other teams
Drive schedule ownership and optimization by team members to accelerate milestones
Drive experimental plasma and fusion deliverables to completion in collaboration with Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, R&D, and Production teams.

Required Skills

• Advanced degree in physics, or a related physical science discipline with a minimum of 10 years of scientific research experience and at least 5 years of experience managing a team of scientists or engineers in a research, development, or technology setting
• Demonstrated experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated experience in applied physics, building and designing hardware

Benefits

• 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

$289K - $315K