Senior Controls Development Engineer at Helion Energy

Everett, Washington, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Fusion Energy, Clean EnergyIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering with a minimum of 7 years of experience working with manufacturing controls in high-volume manufacturing environments
Proficient in electrical schematic design and PLC programming using ladder logic, function block, or structured text (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens)
Experienced in programming industrial robots, including systems such as Fanuc and Kuka
Skilled in designing safety systems for automated machines, with relevant experience or qualifications in safety compliance and risk mitigation
Ability to apply physics-based first principles to challenge design requirements and underlying assumptions, driving better engineering outcomes
Strong communication skills with proven success influencing cross-functional partners and building effective partnerships with supply chain and production teams

Responsibilities

Own Helion’s proprietary testing systems and collaborate with stakeholders to develop and improve both existing and new testing processes; work across technical teams to understand product integration within pulsed power circuits to optimize test processes aligned with Helion’s top-level generator goals
Design, scale, and launch manufacturing equipment for new products being produced for the first time, including the development of automation system architecture and standards for deployment across multiple production lines
Collaborate with machine suppliers on high-level equipment design and functionality; support design reviews, acceptance testing, and equipment buyoff to ensure seamless integration into manufacturing operations
Implement safety systems that comply with ANSI, ISO, and OSHA standards for high-volume manufacturing equipment to ensure operational safety and regulatory adherence
Produce electrical one-line diagrams and schematics for automated manufacturing equipment; support integration with the factory’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and set up equipment reporting to track Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other critical machine data
Troubleshoot down equipment, identify root causes, and implement long-term solutions to prevent recurrence and ensure sustained manufacturing uptime and efficiency

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

AutomationControls DevelopmentTesting SystemsPulsed Power CircuitsManufacturing EquipmentManufacturing Processes

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary for this Senior Controls Development Engineer position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this role remote or onsite, and where is it located?

This is an onsite role at Helion's Everett, WA office, reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Manufacturing.

What are the key responsibilities for this role?

You will own development and standardization of automation and controls for manufacturing fusion generators, design and launch manufacturing equipment, collaborate with suppliers, implement safety systems, produce electrical diagrams, integrate with MES, and troubleshoot equipment.

What is the company culture like at Helion Energy?

Helion prizes urgency, rigor, ownership, and a commitment to delivering hard truths, with a team tackling real-world challenges to achieve breakthroughs in fusion energy.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Controls Development Engineer role?

Strong candidates will have expertise in automation and controls for manufacturing, experience designing scalable equipment, knowledge of safety standards like ANSI/ISO/OSHA, and skills in electrical schematics, MES integration, and troubleshooting – demonstrating ownership and rigor to accelerate from prototyping to mass production.

Helion Energy

Develops commercial fusion energy generators

About Helion Energy

Helion Energy focuses on developing fusion generators to make fusion energy commercially viable. Their fusion generators are designed to be smaller, cheaper, and faster to produce compared to existing technologies. The company utilizes pulsed accelerator technology, which is essential for addressing the Helium-3 crisis, a critical element for modern computing and clean energy. Helion Energy's business model involves selling these fusion generators to industries and governments seeking sustainable energy solutions, while also securing funding from investors and government entities. What sets Helion apart from competitors is their unique combination of steady magnetic and inertial fusion techniques, which allows them to create fusion engines that are significantly more efficient in size, cost, and development time. The company's goal is to have a commercial fusion plant operational within six years, aiming to lead the future of clean energy.

Everett, WashingtonHeadquarters

2013Year Founded

$567.5MTotal Funding

SERIES_ECompany Stage

EnergyIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Medical, dental, & vision insurance

401k

Parental leave

Life & disability insurance

PTO

Equity

Social events

Risks

Increased competition from Commonwealth Fusion Systems threatens Helion's market position.

Funding shortfall in the fusion industry may impact Helion's capital acquisition.

Emergence of cold fusion could disrupt Helion's hot fusion technology focus.

Differentiation

Helion's pulsed non-ignition technology offers low-cost, 24/7 power generation.

Fusion engines are 1,000 times smaller and 500 times cheaper than competitors'.

Helion addresses the Helium-3 crisis, crucial for computing and medical imaging.

Upsides

Helion aims to have a commercial fusion plant operational within six years.

OpenAI's interest in Helion's fusion power highlights potential for significant partnerships.

Helion's technology could replace current energy sources with limitless clean electricity.

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