Principal Applied Plasma Data Scientist

The role

You will develop and validate machine-learning frameworks for FRC plasma-dynamics using physics-grounded ML approaches. This role involves integrating ML models with simulation and diagnostic pipelines to support fusion research.

What you will do

• Develop and validate machine-learning frameworks for FRC plasma-dynamics
• Integrate ML models with existing simulation tools and experimental-diagnostic pipelines
• Reproduce experimental plasma conditions within ML modeling workflows
• Generate analysis scripts for post-processing, parsing model outputs, and visualizing correlations
• Collaborate with plasma-physics, pulsed-power, and transient-magnetics experts
• Communicate results through reports, presentations, and technical visualizations

Required qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Engineering, Applied Math, Computational Science, Machine Learning, or related field with emphasis on physics-grounded modeling
• 10+ years of industry or research-lab experience applying machine learning in experimental, simulation-driven, or scientific R&D environments
• Expertise with physics-informed or physics-constrained ML methods, such as differentiable physics, PINNs, scientific ML, surrogate modeling, or reduced-order models for complex physical systems
• Experience integrating ML models with scientific-computing workflows, simulation tools, or experimental diagnostics
• Proficiency scripting for data parsing, model analysis, and visualization (MATLAB, Python, or similar)
• Familiarity with magnetic diffusion, circuit coupling, or plasma-dynamics modeling in pulsed-power or electromagnetics systems

Nice to have

• Fortran or HPC exposure valuable

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. The company has raised $1.5 billion from investors to develop fusion electricity.