Fusion Power ScientistWe 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 as well as new investors 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 DoingHelion is hiring a Plasma Data Scientist specializing in physics-grounded machine learning to accelerate experimental FRC plasma modeling.
This role will focus on developing and validating advanced ML frameworks—such as differentiable-physics models, PINNs, surrogate modeling, or hybrid physics+ML systems—while integrating these tools with simulation and diagnostics pipelines. You will support cross-disciplinary fusion research and contribute to high-impact modeling that informs experimental design and interpretation. This onsite position reports to the Experimental Science Manager at our Everett, WA office and plays a key role in advancing fusion electricity development.You Will:Develop and validate machine-learning frameworks for FRC plasma-dynamics, leveraging physics-grounded ML approaches (e.g., differentiable physics, PINNs, surrogate modeling, or hybrid physics+ML systems)Integrate ML models with existing simulation tools and experimental-diagnostic pipelines to enable hybrid physics + data-driven validation workflowsReproduce experimental plasma conditions within ML modeling workflows to support interpretation of magnetic diffusion, circuit response, and diagnostic measurementsGenerate analysis scripts for post-processing, parsing model outputs, and visualizing correlations between ML-based predictions and experimental resultsCollaborate with plasma-physics, pulsed-power, and transient-magnetics experts to expand the fidelity and fusion-relevance of ML-enabled modeling frameworksCommunicate results with rigor and clarity through reports, presentations, and technical visualizations for research stakeholdersRequired SkillsPhD in Physics, Engineering, Applied Math, Computational Science, Machine Learning, or related field with emphasis on physics-grounded modeling10+ years of industry or research-lab experience applying machine learning in experimental, simulation-driven, or scientific R&D environmentsExpertise with physics-informed or physics-constrained ML methods, such as differentiable physics, PINNs, scientific ML, surrogate modeling, or reduced-order models for complex physical systemsExperience integrating ML models with scientific-computing workflows, simulation tools, or experimental diagnosticsProficiency scripting for data parsing, model analysis, and visualization (MATLAB, Python, or similar; Fortran or HPC exposure valuable)Familiarity with magnetic diffusion, circuit coupling, or plasma-dynamics modeling in pulsed-power or electromagnetics systemsBenefitsOur total compensation package includes benefits, including but not limited to:Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and their families31 Days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days)10 Paid holidays, plus company-wide winter breakUp to 5% employer 401(k) matchShort term disability, long term disability, and life insurancePaid parental leave and support (up to 16 weeks)Annual wellness stipendHelion 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.
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