Senior Process Engineer, Fuel Cycle

Helion
US
Remote

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior chemical/mechanical engineers who have delivered full-scope projects in complex systems, working onsite in Everett to pioneer fusion fuel cycles.

Best fit for

  • Experienced chemical process engineers who have scaled novel hardware from concept to reality.
    — “Experience taking engineering ideas from abstract concepts to physical reality
  • Leaders comfortable driving multidisciplinary projects across mechanical, electrical, and controls teams.
    — “Independently lead projects across engineering disciplines
  • First-principles thinkers adept at troubleshooting complex systems with rigorous calculations.
    — “Experience applying first-principles thinking by leading design and troubleshooting

Things to consider

  • Onsite presence required in Everett despite potential for remote process work.
    — “work onsite at our Everett, WA office
  • Must balance urgency with rigorous safety documentation like HAZOPs.
    — “Produce important deliverables including PFDs, P&IDs, H&MBs, HAZOPs

How to stand out

  • Showcase specific examples of delivering first-of-a-kind hardware solutions.
    — “demonstrated by delivering first-of-a-kind hardware solutions
  • Highlight cross-functional leadership beyond technical design skills.
    — “lead projects across engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, controls, and operations)
  • Prepare case studies showing process simulation for novel systems.
    — “Use process simulation tools to support design development
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

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

What success looks like

  • successful delivery of full-scope chemical engineering projects
  • creation-to-integration engineering for major components of the fuel cycle
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering8+ years of experience in chemical process design or development

Skills & requirements

Required

Chemical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringProcess DesignProcess SimulationProject Management

Preferred

First-principles ThinkingMultidisciplinary Engineering

Stack & domain

Chemical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringProcess DesignProcess Equipment SizingProcess Simulation ToolsPfdsP&idsH&mbsHazopsSizing CalculationsMultidisciplinary Engineering ProjectsLeadershipMentoringCollaborationProblem-solvingCommunicationEnergyFusion PowerEngineering

About the role

As a Senior Process Engineer at Helion, you'll be instrumental in designing and implementing the fuel cycle for the world's first fusion power plant, working closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative concepts to reality.

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 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’ll Be Doing

You will be at the forefront of designing the world's first continuous fusion fuel cycle – an opportunity to redefine the future of clean energy for the modern world. You will lead process design and implementation for major systems in our fuel cycle, taking systems from concept to commissioning. You'll work with engineers, scientists, and technicians across the company, with a focus on scaling up and integrating these systems into our commercial fusion platform. You will report to the Fuel Cycle Manager and work onsite at our Everett, WA office.

You Will

  • Own creation-to-integration engineering for major components of the fuel cycle, including system process design, procurement, installation, and commissioning
  • Perform detailed design for process equipment such as columns, reactors, membranes, heaters, pumps, and piping under varied conditions (ambient, cryogenic, and vacuum)
  • Use process simulation tools to support design development, integration, and case studies
  • Produce important deliverables including PFDs, P&IDs, H&MBs, HAZOPs, and sizing calculations
  • Independently lead projects across engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, controls, and operations) to deliver fully integrated process designs
  • Lead high-level design reviews to validate solutions and incorporate feedback into systems
  • Mentor fuel cycle engineers and work cross-functionally to build technical capabilities across Helion

Required Skills

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical or equivalent experience in chemical process design or development
  • 8+ years of experience delivering full-scope chemical engineering projects, including managing technical deliverables and schedules
  • Experience taking engineering ideas from abstract concepts to physical reality, demonstrated by delivering first-of-a-kind hardware solutions
  • Experience applying first-principles thinking by leading design and troubleshooting in complex engineering systems
  • Experience performing detailed process equipment sizing calculations including chemical, fluid, thermal, mechanical, and relief systems
  • Experience leading and working on multidisciplinary engineering projects

#LI-Onsite #LI-TM1

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.

Source: Helion careers (Ashby)

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