Plasma Diagnostics Summer 2027 Intern

The role

You will conceive, design, test, and deploy optical diagnostic components and systems to understand fusion machine performance. You will prototype and bench test optical diagnostics like polarimetry or components of optical interferometers.

What you will do

• Prototype and bench test optical diagnostics, for example polarimetry or components of optical interferometers
• Understand basic operations and bench test potential upgrades to performance

Required qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• Relevant experience in plasma science
• Must be able to complete their current degree program and begin full-time employment no later than June 2028
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Basic understanding of benchtop optical test and measurement
• Basic proficiency with optical fiber alignment
• General optical lab experience
• Basic knowledge of laser and laser safety
• Proficiency with analysis software such as MATLAB or Python

Nice to have

• Optical modeling software skills such as Zemax

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 2013, they have raised $1.5 billion from investors to propel their work forward.