Senior Mechanical Engineer, Modules

About the role

This role owns hardware designs for Helion's fusion generator prototypes within the Mechanical Engineering Department in Everett, WA. You will tackle real-world engineering challenges alongside multidisciplinary teams to enable urgent, rigorous delivery on the path to fusion energy. The role is onsite and targets professionals with 7+ years of full-scope project experience.

Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.

Key facts

What you'll do

Designs are created and iterated in 3D CAD software such as NX and SolidWorks to support high-volume manufacturing.

Analysis results inform design reviews where feedback is gathered and implemented to evolve toward a fully functioning system.

Historical engineering approaches are studied so that novel hardware can be designed, tested, and validated. Solutions are optimized to meet requirements for scale, reliability, and manufacturability.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in engineering is required for this position.

You bring 7+ years of professional experience delivering on full-scope engineering projects, including schedule ownership.

You have hands-on exposure to a variety of engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, fluids, and thermal engineering.

You have experience designing, testing, and launching production hardware at scale.

You apply engineering first-principles and method-based thinking to challenging problems in high-voltage and pulsed power hardware.

You use advanced CAD software, such as NX and SolidWorks, to develop detailed models and assemblies.

You have moderate experience with GD&T and producing engineering drawings that comply with ASME Y14.5 standards.

You have moderate experience with FEA software such as ANSYS, FEMAP, or COMSOL to perform analysis and iterate on designs.

You understand engineering physics fundamentals, including mechanics of materials and circuits, and apply these principles to high-voltage and pulsed power hardware.

Practical notes

This position is based onsite at our headquarters in Everett, WA under the #LI-Onsite and #LI-KL1 tags. work authorization and may involve travel as needed. Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

Fusion power companies pursue clean, reliable, and affordable energy through physics-based experimentation and rapid iteration. The role relies on deep expertise in mechanical, electrical, fluids, and thermal engineering. Common tools include CAD suites, multiphysics analysis platforms, and production-scale testing infrastructure. Success depends on rigor, ownership, and clear communication within a fast-growing team.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.