Principal Manufacturing Engineer

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 investors including Sam Altman, Mithril, Capricorn Investment Group, Thrive Capital, LightSpeed Venture Capital, and SoftBank. Our current prototype, Polaris, has reached record-breaking plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius (13 keV). Helion is continuing to iterate toward the world's first fusion power plant, Orion.

About the role

As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Helion, you will define and drive the architecture of our manufacturing systems as we scale from prototype builds to high-volume production. You will own manufacturing system strategy, lead the development of custom equipment and production systems, and serve as a technical authority across Manufacturing, Design, and Production. This role operates in a highly ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environment and requires balancing near-term execution with long-term scalability across future production lines. This is an onsite role based in Everett, WA.

Responsibilities

• Define manufacturing system architecture and long-term scalability strategy across production lines and future factory builds
• Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that shape how Helion designs, builds, and scales manufacturing systems
• Lead the development and commissioning of custom, precision manufacturing equipment and integrated production systems
• Identify and prioritize high-impact investments across equipment, automation, and factory capabilities to enable step-change improvements in scale
• Solve complex, ambiguous manufacturing challenges, making high-leverage technical decisions with company-wide impact
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction and elevating execution across teams

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems, ideally in high-volume or complex electromechanical environments
• Demonstrated ownership of manufacturing systems or production lines from concept through production ramp at scale
• Experience defining systems, processes, or architecture in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments
• Proven track record of leading large, cross-functional engineering initiatives with broad organizational impact
• Strong cross-functional leadership across Design Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities
• Track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers

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

Pay

Compensation range: $214K - $255K