Senior Manager Mechanical Engineering, Structures

About the role

Helion is developing the first fusion power plant to provide clean, reliable energy. This leadership role oversees the structural engineering team responsible for the hardware design of our fusion devices at our Everett facility. The Senior Manager Mechanical Engineering, Structures will act as the principal technical authority for structural integrity and mechanical design across the program. You will own the end-to-end execution of structural solutions that enable the demanding physics and operational cycles of fusion energy. This position requires a balance of hands-on engineering depth and broad people leadership to guide complex hardware initiatives. You will translate high-level system requirements into robust mechanical and structural architectures that are safe, buildable, and on schedule. Your leadership will ensure alignment between the design vision and the realities of manufacturing, integration, and field operation at our campus in Everett.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Direct the management and mentoring of a multidisciplinary group of mechanical and structural engineers, fostering technical growth and clear ownership.
• Lead the design of machine architecture, structural systems, neutron shielding, and complex component assemblies that meet extreme operational demands.
• Own critical architectural decisions regarding primary structures, plant layout, and racking systems to ensure long-term reliability and maintainability.
• Drive improvements in manufacturing and design processes to accelerate project throughput without compromising safety or performance.
• Serve as the central liaison with Science, Research, Electrical, and Controls departments to define requirements and keep program milestones on track.
• Establish and enforce technical standards, verification methods, and design baselines that scale across the mechanical engineering organization.
• Apply rigorous structural analysis and first-principles reasoning to resolve challenging technical hurdles under tight timelines and evolving requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional trade studies, guiding selection of materials, fabrication methods, and support strategies that balance performance, risk, and schedule.
• Ensure full accountability for structural schedules, interfaces, and deliverables, maintaining traceability from requirements through detailed design and verification.
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the mechanical engineering team and across project functions.
• Translate high-level program objectives into actionable technical work plans, aligning staffing, tools, and priorities to meet business needs.
• Mentor engineers in best practices for large-scale assembly design, thermal analysis, and mechanical qualification testing.
• Partner with external vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve design and build issues, ensuring alignment with project standards and regulatory expectations.
• Drive the adoption of modern engineering tools and methods that enhance design robustness, data integrity, and decision traceability.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Bring 10+ years of cumulative experience in mechanical or structural engineering roles with increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrate 3+ years of experience in an engineering management position, leading technical teams through delivery challenges.
• Show a documented history of hiring, developing, and leading high-performing engineering teams in a demanding technical environment.
• Prove experience managing complex projects where you maintained full accountability for schedules, scope, and technical outcomes.
• Possess practical knowledge of thermal, mechanical, and large-scale structural engineering as applied to demanding energy systems.
• Apply first-principles and structured problem-solving approaches to overcome technical hurdles and make defensible engineering decisions.
• Exhibit strong judgment in balancing competing requirements such as safety, cost, manufacturability, and schedule.
• Communicate effectively with both technical specialists and executive stakeholders, translating deep engineering content into clear decisions and rationale.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment where adaptability, ownership, and follow-through are essential.

Skills & tools

• Mechanical design for high-performance systems requiring durability under demanding conditions.
• Structural engineering analysis and verification for complex assemblies and load paths.
• Engineering management practices that align people, process, and technical execution.
• Project lifecycle management from concept through detailed design, qualification, and delivery.
• Thermal analysis methods relevant to high-energy systems and heat transfer challenges.
• Large-scale assembly design, including integration, interfaces, and support strategies.
• Proficiency with analysis tools, modeling methods, and data-driven decision frameworks.
• Collaboration platforms and documentation approaches that ensure clarity and traceability across teams.

Practical notes

This role is based in Everett, Washington and requires onsite presence. The position offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and families. The package features 31 days of PTO (21 vacation, 10 sick), 10 paid holidays, a company-wide winter break, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, a 5% 401(k) match, and an annual wellness stipend. Helion is an equal opportunity employer.