Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Everett, WA, USA (onsite)

Overview


Helion is scaling from prototype builds toward high-volume production of its fusion power plant systems, with its Polaris prototype now reaching plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius on the path to Orion, the company’s planned first power plant. As Principal Manufacturing Engineer, this role defines and drives the architecture of Helion’s manufacturing systems, owning strategy and serving as a technical authority across Manufacturing, Design, and Production. It operates in a highly ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environment, balancing near-term execution against long-term scalability across future production lines. The role is onsite at Helion’s Everett, WA office and reports directly to the Factory Development Manager.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define manufacturing system architecture and long-term scalability strategy across production lines and future factory builds
  • Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that shape how Helion designs, builds, and scales manufacturing systems
  • Lead the development and commissioning of custom, precision manufacturing equipment and integrated production systems
  • Identify and prioritize high-impact investments across equipment, automation, and factory capabilities to enable step-change improvements in scale
  • Solve complex, ambiguous manufacturing challenges, making high-leverage technical decisions with company-wide impact
  • Serve as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction and elevating execution across teams

Requirements


Essential: 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems, ideally in complex electromechanical environments; demonstrated ownership of manufacturing systems or production lines from concept through production ramp at scale; experience defining systems, processes, or architecture in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments; a proven track record of leading large, cross-functional engineering initiatives with broad organizational impact; strong cross-functional leadership across Design Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities; and a track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers.