Validation engineer [h1.location_city]

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 as well as 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). We are now operating Polaris, our next prototype on the path to the world's first fusion power plant.

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 :

You will develop, optimize, and maintain automated test systems that validate Helion's power electronics, PCBAs, and high-voltage assemblies. Acting as the technical bridge between design engineering and production, you will ensure test systems are robust, repeatable, and safe for hands-on execution by technicians. Your work will directly enable faster iteration, higher first-pass yield (FPY), and the reliable delivery of critical components for Helion's fusion prototypes. This is a hands-on role involving electrical test system development, data acquisition, and process ownership. You will report to the Production Manager and work closely with HV and LV Design Engineers, R&D Engineers, and Test Technicians / Supervisors. This is an onsite role at our Everett, WA office.

You Will :

• Develop automated and semi-automated test systems for PCBA and high-voltage assemblies, including fixture design, instrumentation selection, and control software integration
• Work with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) to deploy, validate, and maintain test systems in external facilities
• Write and maintain test procedures, calibration standards, and test limits in collaboration with design engineers and production leadership
• Support hands-on setup, wiring, and debugging of test racks, DAQ systems, and electrical interconnects
• Develop and maintain data acquisition and automation tools using Python or PLC-based systems to increase throughput and reliability
• Analyze test data to produce FPY and performance reports, proposing threshold adjustments in partnership with design teams to balance yield and quality
• Collaborate with technicians and test supervisors to train and standardize best practices in test execution and safety
• Continuously improve the efficiency, scalability, and maintainability of existing test systems across PCBA test equipment and HV test bays
• Drive cross-functional initiatives that reduce operator requirements and improve test cycle times without compromising safety or rigor

Required Skills

#LI-Onsite

Total Compensation and Benefits

Helion's compensation package includes a competitively benchmarked base salary, meaningful equity grants, and comprehensive benefits. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to internal equity - ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams. We are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation.

This is an exempt salaried role.

Annual Base Pay

$182,000 - $214,000 USD

Benefits

Our total compensation package includes benefits, including but not limited to :

Helion is an equal opportunity employer and value 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.