Director of Materials Science

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:

You will lead the integrated effort to develop and qualify materials for Helion's fusion generators. Your work will include materials selection, testing, irradiation studies, development of material property models, coordination with supply chain and licensing teams, and guiding strategic materials development. You will report to the leader of the Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science (RaSNS) team and this is an onsite role located at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

• Create and lead a world-class materials team focused on material R&D, radiation effects, and material testing
• Develop and deploy materials critical to the success of a commercial fusion system
• Set team goals aligned with Helion’s strategy and take ownership for their execution
• Establish strong partnerships with Engineering and RaSNS teams to increase ROI on materials initiatives
• Oversee managers on the Materials team, including milestone planning, resource allocation, and performance management
• Build programs to understand complex mechanical properties and materials degradation, including cost estimation and scheduling

Required Skills:

• 10+ years of materials-related industry experience, including 5+ years managing technical teams delivering materials science or engineering projects to commercialization
• Proven experience growing a high-performing team of at least five subject matter experts and leading planning for company milestones
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and lead employees from diverse technical backgrounds
• Hands-on experience with material testing and characterization
• Track record of managing materials R&D resulting in use in commercial products or large-scale projects
• Experience with materials degradation phenomena including creep, fatigue, stress, corrosion, erosion, neutron irradiation effects, and hydrogen embrittlement

#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.