Senior Materials Engineer, Diagnostics

The role

You will lead the development of materials health monitoring for fusion generators. You will design, qualify, and deploy in-situ and ex-situ diagnostics to detect materials degradation.

What you will do

• Develop and deploy in-situ and ex-situ diagnostics for degradation and failure in fusion-relevant materials and components
• Translate failure and degradation modes into measurable signals using sensors, inspection methods, or indirect indicators
• Design and execute coupled-stimuli experiments and post-irradiation examinations to validate diagnostic methods
• Manage the roadmap for sensing technologies crucial for structural health monitoring in fusion generator systems
• Build test matrices and analysis plans linking microstructural evolution to sensor outputs and component performance
• Own the materials diagnostics roadmap by converting risk assessments into diagnostic requirements
• Collaborate with design engineers to embed diagnostics into hardware
• Partner with modeling teams to integrate diagnostic outputs into predictive models and maintenance strategies
• Productize diagnostic methods and sensors for reliable deployment in fusion environments
• Document test plans, procedures, and design guidance

Required qualifications

• BS with 10+ years, or MS/PhD with 5+ years, in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years (with PhD or MS) or 10+ years (with BS) of experience in at least one of: Materials diagnostics / NDE / SHM (strain, acoustic, optical, EM, fiberoptic, etc.)
• Familiarity with data analysis / feature extraction for degradation detection
• Experience designing and executing coupled-stimuli experiments (e.g., thermomechanical, electrothermal, irradiation with stress)
• Experience embedding or integrating sensors into structural materials (ceramics, composites, polymers, or metals)

Nice to have

• Python preferred
• Experience in fusion, fission, accelerator, or high-radiation environments
• Experience with radiation effects and post-irradiation examination (PIE)
• Familiarity with high-voltage systems or safety-critical experimental environments

Benefits

• 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

About the company

Helion is a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, with the mission to build the world's first fusion power plant. Since its founding in 2013, it has raised $1.5 billion from various investors.