R&D Engineering Technician, Capacitor Manufacturing

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.

Role Summary

The Engineering Technician supports the development, build, optimization, and sustainment of capacitor manufacturing processes. This role sits at the intersection of engineering and production, executing builds, troubleshooting process and equipment issues, collecting, and analyzing data, and helping transition new capacitor designs and processes from development into repeatable manufacturing.

Engineering Technicians are expected to bring strong technical rigor, hands-on problem-solving skills, and a mindset focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing & Build Support

• Build, assemble, and test capacitors and sub-assemblies according to engineering instructions and evolving process definitions.

• Support prototype, pilot, and low-volume production builds as designs mature.

• Execute complex or non-standard manufacturing steps requiring elevated technical judgment.

• Partner with production teams to stabilize processes during ramp-up or design changes.

Process Development & Improvement

• Assist engineers in developing, documenting, and refining manufacturing processes.

• Identify process gaps, inefficiencies, and failure modes; propose and trial improvements.

• Support DOE execution, validation runs, and process characterization.

• Author or update work instructions, visual aids, and technical documentation

Equipment & Tooling Support

• Set up, operate, and maintain specialized manufacturing equipment (e.g., winding, impregnation, baking, welding, test systems)

• Troubleshoot equipment and tooling issues, coordinate with engineering.

• Support commissioning and validation of new equipment or fixtures.

Data, Quality, & Technical Rigor

• Collect and analyze processes, yield, and test data to support engineering decisions.

• Document non-conformances, assist with root cause investigations, and support corrective actions.

• Ensure builds comply with safety, quality, and EHS requirements.

• Maintain accurate build records, logs, and traceability documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Function as a technical bridge between engineering, production, quality, and EHS.

• Support training production technicians in new or updated processes.

• Provide real-time feedback to engineers on manufacturability and operability.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in engineering technology, manufacturing, electronics, or a related technical field or equivalent hands-on experience

• 2+ years of experience in technical manufacturing, R&D, or engineering support role

• Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort working with precision assemblies.

• Ability to read and follow technical drawings, schematics, and work instructions.

• Experience supporting prototype-to-production transitions.

• Data analysis skills using spreadsheets or basic statistical tools.

• The experience of CAD or SolidWorks is a plus.

Benefits

Our total compensation package includes 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)
• 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

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.