Process Engineering Summer 2027 Intern

Helion
Everett, WA
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with undergraduate engineering degrees and hands-on technical aptitude working in fusion energy and industrial process systems.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with strong foundational engineering knowledge and a desire to work on cutting-edge fusion technology
    — “Strong understanding of engineering principles like thermodynamics, fluids, mass transfer, heat transfer, and mechanics”
  • Students pursuing degrees in chemical, mechanical, or nuclear engineering with a focus on process systems
    — “Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Nuclear Engineering”
  • Individuals capable of independent operation and experimentation in complex technical environments
    — “Ability to learn how a system operates and run it independently”

Things to consider

  • This role requires full-time, onsite presence for 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2027
    — “Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2027”
  • The internship is centered around a specific technical domain with limited scope for generalist experience
    — “Helion’s Fuel Cycle Team is focused on recycling gas from the machine’s vacuum system”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with data analysis and system optimization in your resume and interview responses
    — “Optimize specific system parameters and present a report detailing your process and results”
  • Emphasize any prior hands-on experience with vacuum systems or cryogenics
    — “Learn and operate a separation technology used in Helion’s fuel cycle”
  • Demonstrate familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or Excel in your technical projects or coursework
    — “Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with software tools (MATLAB, Python, Excel)”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • system optimization
  • data-driven recommendations
  • technical presentations
Typical background
undergraduate studies in Chemical, Mechanical, or Nuclear Engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Process EngineeringSystem OptimizationData AnalysisEngineering PrinciplesSafety ProtocolsSystem OperationIndependent Experimentation

Preferred

Fusion PowerVacuum SystemsCryogenics

Stack & domain

Chemical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringNuclear EngineeringEngineering PrinciplesThermodynamicsFluidsMass TransferHeat TransferMechanicsData AnalysisSoftware ToolsMatlabPythonExcelSystem OperationSystem ImprovementsIndependent ExperimentsProblem-solvingCritical ThinkingCommunicationTeamworkAdaptabilityAttention To DetailTime ManagementEngineeringProcess EngineeringFusion PowerTechnology

About the role

Original posting from Helion via Ashby

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 $1.5 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors including Thrive Capital, LightSpeed Venture Capital, SoftBank, and others to propel us forward. Our current prototype, Polaris, has reached record-breaking plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius (13 keV). Helion is continuing to iterate and on the path to the world's first fusion power plant, Orion.

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:

Helion’s Fuel Cycle Team is focused on recycling gas from the machine’s vacuum system, separating unspent fuel from fusion byproducts. As an intern, you will work on these separation systems, learning the technology and related systems (vacuum, cryogenics, etc.). Your tasks will include optimizing system parameters, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and modifying the test setup. At the end of the internship, you will present your findings and recommendations. This is a 12-week onsite internship at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

  • Learn and operate a separation technology used in Helion’s fuel cycle, while understanding the system on a conceptual level
  • Adhere to safety protocols and gain hands-on experience with the system operation
  • Optimize specific system parameters and present a report detailing your process and results at the end of the internship
  • Explore and/or implement system improvements and conduct independent experiments to further enhance the technology

Required Skills:

  • Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2027
  • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Nuclear Engineering
  • GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Strong understanding of engineering principles like thermodynamics, fluids, mass transfer, heat transfer, and mechanics
  • Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with software tools (MATLAB, Python, Excel)
  • Ability to learn how a system operates and run it independently
  • Basic understanding of chemistry and steady-state systems (undergraduate level)

#LI-Onsite #LI-TM1

Source: Helion careers (Ashby)

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