Senior Fluid Systems Technician

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:

As a Senior Fluid Systems Technician, you will own major build efforts, mentor junior technicians, and collaborate directly with engineers to develop assembly processes, troubleshoot issues, and ensure high-quality system performance. As we scale production of our fusion prototype systems, we need experienced technicians who can lead the build, integration, and troubleshooting of complex fluid, vacuum, and cryogenic systems. This role demands technical mastery, leadership, and a commitment to building hardware at the pace required to make fusion a reality. Our Senior Technicians are leaders on the production floor. You will set the standard for precision, speed, and quality while mentoring the next generation of builders. Working side-by-side with engineers and operators, you'll play a pivotal role in scaling hardware that brings fusion power to the grid. This is an onsite role that reports directly to the Production Manager at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

• Lead assembly and integration of high-pressure fuel and vacuum fluid systems

• Mentor and coach technicians, developing their skills in precision assembly, harnessing, and fabrication

• Perform advanced tube bending, pipe fitting, orbital welding, and cleanroom assembly for critical fusion hardware

• Build and route electrical harnesses supporting integrated fluid and electromechanical systems

• Guide troubleshooting efforts across mechanical, fluid, and electrical systems, providing root-cause analysis and corrective actions

• Collaborate with engineers to develop and refine work instructions, assembly procedures, and custom tooling/fixtures

• Support system-level testing, including leak checks, pressure testing, and functional checkouts

• Perform light machining and fabrication (lathe, mill, welding) to enable rapid prototyping and iteration

• Ensure adherence to safety, quality, and cleanliness standards across all fluid system operations

• Drive continuous improvement in assembly efficiency, reliability, and maintainability

Required Skills:

• 7+ years of experience with fluid, vacuum, or cryogenic systems in aerospace, energy, or semiconductor industries

• Proficiency in precision tube bending and pipe fitting

• Proficiency in cleanroom assembly and contamination control practices

• Experience leading a team of technicians and coordinating daily build activities

• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documents

• Familiarity with leak detection methods (helium mass spectrometer, pressure decay, etc.)

• Knowledge of ERP/CMMS systems for managing work orders and inventory

• Demonstrated success in mentoring and training technicians

#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 a non-exempt hourly role.

Hourly Pay Rate
$37—$51 USD

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.