Director of Fusion Plant Engineering

Overview

Helion is seeking a Director of Fusion Plant Engineering to own the design and execution of the critical plant systems that will define the world’s first fusion power plant. Reporting directly to the VP of Engineering, this role sits at the intersection of fusion physics and practical power generation — translating the energy produced by Helion’s Polaris prototype into systems that can extract, move, and manage heat at scale. The scope spans radiation shielding, fuel and exhaust gas handling, vacuum infrastructure, and thermal management. It is a rare mandate: direct ownership of the engineering systems that will determine whether fusion becomes a commercial reality.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead high-performing engineering teams across mechanical, thermal, and fluid systems
• Own the design and delivery of critical plant systems — radiation shielding, fuel and exhaust gas systems, vacuum infrastructure, and thermal management
• Partner with nuclear, magnet, and systems engineering teams to integrate fusion generators into a cohesive power plant
• Drive cross-functional engineering execution from early concept through detailed design, manufacturing, and test
• Set the technical bar for rigor, documentation, and accountability, ensuring safety, scalability, and reliability
• Continually raise the standard for ownership, execution pace, and design clarity across teams
• Develop the next generation of Helion engineering leaders through mentorship and example

Requirements

Essential: Degree in engineering or sciences; 10+ years of multidisciplinary engineering experience including 5+ years in technical leadership or management; proven success leading complex system design from concept through deployment; expertise in one or more of mechanical systems, heat transfer, vacuum systems, or process engineering; demonstrated ability to build structure and focus in fast-moving, high-ambiguity environments.

Desirable: Leadership style aligned with Helion’s values of ownership, urgency, rigor, and truth; experience building and scaling engineering teams in a deep-tech or energy environment.