Nuclear Engineer, Diagnostics
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 $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 looking for a Nuclear Engineer to develop, operate, and analyze data from diagnostic detectors for Polaris and future fusion generators. You will be part of our Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science (RaSNS) team. The facets of the RaSNS team include nuclear engineering (neutronics and particle diagnostics), radiation safety, fuel cycle engineering, and materials engineering. You will also work with our Research team (home to plasma physics and plasma diagnostics) and Engineering team (home to generator mechanical and electrical design). You will report to our Director of Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science at our Everett, WA office.
You Will:
- Design, construct, calibrate, and operate neutron, photon, and charged particle diagnostics. Detector types include organic scintillators, inorganic scintillators, ion chambers, and activation foils
- Develop MATLAB or Python scripts to process detector output; prepare plots and analyses to present internally to the RaSNS, Research, and Test Operations team and externally at technical conferences
- Perform uncertainty quantification and error propagation
- Use ancillary skills to enhance detector development, e.g., Monte Carlo simulations or circuit/electrical design
Required Skills:
- An advanced understanding of nuclear physics, including neutron interactions, photon interactions, cross sections, attenuation, radioactive decay, and other types of radiation
- 4+ years of experience constructing, operating, and analyzing the same detector. Demonstrated experience with electronic read-out design and coupling scintillators to read-out electronics, digitizers, high-voltage supplies, and DAQ
- 4+ years of experience analyzing data, including the analysis of raw pulses (e.g., pile-up rejection and pulse shape discrimination), and uncertainty quantification and propagation
- 4+ years of experience documenting detector design, operation, and analysis scripts
- Ability to obtain a license for MCNP6 and experience using the software
- Experience working in pulsed electromagnetic fields or handling large EMI noise
The pay range for this position is $110k-175k. This pay range may be inclusive of several career levels and will be narrowed based on several factors, including the candidate's experience and qualifications.
#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1
Benefits and Compensation
Our total compensation package includes generous equity and 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)
- 13 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.