Talent Operations Program Manager

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 Talent Operations Program Manager, you’ll own the infrastructure that drives Helion hiring. Scaling with urgency, you’ll architect the systems, processes, and programs that raise our talent density. From optimizing the ATS and recruiting workflows to leading programs like interview training and assessments, you’ll balance strategic program leadership with hands-on execution. Your work will directly shape how we attract, assess, and hire the people who will build the future of clean energy. This role reports to the Talent Operations Manager and is onsite at our Everett, WA office. 

 You Will: 

• Architect and optimize Helion’s recruiting systems and workflows, owning ATS configuration, integrations, and scalability 

• Pilot and experiment with new tools, workflows, and AI-enabled recruiting solutions, benchmarking impact and scaling what works 

• Develop dashboards and performance reporting that surface hard truths, inform executive decisions, and drive continuous improvement 

• Design and elevate talent programs — including interviewer training, assessments, internships, talent brand, referrals and events — that build a stronger, more scalable hiring pipeline 

• Lead cross-functional change management, ensuring new tools and programs are adopted, measured, and sustained across the business 

Required Skills: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field 

• 7+ years of experience in recruiting operations, HR operations, or talent program management 

• Proven success scaling recruiting operations in a high-growth start-up, balancing urgency with rigor in a fast-paced environment 

• Expertise with ATS platforms (Greenhouse, Ashby) and recruiting systems, with ability to design, configure, and optimize integrations across the toolchain 

• Hands-on experience piloting and evaluating AI recruiting tools, defining success metrics, and making informed recommendations based on outcomes 

• Strong capability to maintain dashboards that track SLAs and key metrics, enforce accountability, and guide executive-level decisions 

• Track record of leading cross-functional talent programs, applying change management principles, and delivering measurable improvements across the hiring lifecycle 

#LI-Onsite 

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.