Director of Modules Engineering

About the role

At Helion, we are at the forefront of creating the world's first fusion power plant, known as Orion. In this position, you will oversee the team tasked with the design, qualification, and production of the capacitor bank hardware essential for Orion. This hardware is crucial for storing and delivering energy during each fusion pulse. You will lead a diverse engineering team through the transition from prototype development to full-scale manufacturing.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Establish the overall architecture for the capacitor bank of Orion, detailing requirements, system decomposition, and integration with the machine core and control systems.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to a multidisciplinary team of engineers specializing in electrical and mechanical disciplines, focusing on pulsed power circuit modules, including electrical design, mechanical and thermal solutions, as well as low-voltage control interfaces.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing engineering teams to facilitate the transition of modules from prototype testing to high-rate production, targeting the capability to generate megajoules of pulsed power energy weekly.
• Oversee the cost, schedule, and reliability aspects of the module portfolio, making informed design trade-offs and setting qualification standards for hardware intended for million-pulse campaigns.
• Work in partnership with Research, Science, and Controls teams to ensure that module designs are adaptable to meet evolving physics and operational needs.
• Build and nurture the engineering team, establishing design review processes and engineering standards to uphold rigor during the transition from prototype to production stages.
• In your initial year, you will be responsible for defining the architecture of the Orion capacitor bank, kick-starting the qualification program for the first production modules, and ensuring that production-ready hardware is undergoing rigorous testing.
• Actively engage in problem-solving and innovative thinking to overcome technical challenges that arise during the development and production phases.

Requirements

• A bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the development of complex electromechanical hardware systems.
• At least 4 years of experience in leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, including Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, and Thermal engineers.
• Proven track record of guiding hardware from the prototype stage through qualification and into production, showcasing strong judgment in design-for-manufacture principles.
• Extensive technical expertise in at least one of the following areas: power electronics, pulsed energy systems, high-reliability electromechanical design, or high-volume hardware production, along with a working knowledge of the other areas.
• Demonstrated capability to manage program-level cost, schedule, and reliability, including the ability to make and justify challenging design trade-offs.
• Strong leadership skills with a history of fostering successful collaborations with research, science, controls, and manufacturing teams.
• Experience in scaling engineering teams and processes effectively during the transition from prototype development to production.

Nice to have

• Experience in the fusion energy sector or related fields.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing techniques and processes.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards and compliance related to electromechanical systems.
• Previous involvement in high-stakes projects requiring innovative engineering solutions.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in CAD software for electrical and mechanical design.
• Familiarity with simulation tools for thermal and electrical analysis.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Practical notes

This position is based on-site in Everett, WA. Employees will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for both employees and their families. The company offers 31 days of paid time off, comprising 21 vacation days and 10 sick days, along with 10 paid holidays and a company-wide winter break. Additional benefits include a 401(k) plan with up to a 5% employer match, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, and an annual wellness stipend. If you need any accommodations during the interview process, please let us know.