Principal Operations Systems Engineer
About Helion
We 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 such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors including Thrive Capital, LightSpeed Venture Capital, SoftBank, and others 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 Doing:
Helion is building the world's first commercial fusion power plant. Achieving that mission requires operational systems that scale as rapidly as our technology.
As Principal Operations Systems Engineer, you will define how operational systems enable manufacturing execution across material flow, inventory, logistics, production, and shop floor operations. You will work at the intersection of Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Factory Automation, and Software Engineering to solve complex operational problems that directly impact Helion's ability to scale. This is an onsite role that reports directly to the Director, Manufacturing Operational Excellence at our Everett, WA office.
You Will:
Design and evolve operational systems that improve manufacturing execution, inventory integrity, material flow, logistics, and production readiness
Translate manufacturing challenges into scalable processes, workflows, and digital capabilities
Continuously evaluate manufacturing operations to identify capability gaps before they become production constraints
Partner with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Inventory Control, Quality, Supply Chain, Factory Automation, and Software Engineering to deliver scalable, maintainable solutions
Establish standards for operational workflows, data integrity, system implementation, and user experience
Improve operational visibility through meaningful metrics, dashboards, and decision-support tools
Drive continuous improvement by simplifying workflows, improving data quality, reducing manual work, and increasing operational efficiency
Serve as a trusted technical advisor, influencing cross-functional initiatives through expertise, collaboration, and sound engineering judgment
Mentor engineers and promote scalable problem solving and continuous improvement across the organization
Required Skills:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related technical discipline
12+ years designing, implementing, or improving manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, warehouse, or operational systems
Demonstrated success solving complex operational challenges through process, systems, and technology integration
Strong understanding of manufacturing execution, inventory management, material flow, warehouse operations, and production support
Experience partnering across technical and operational organizations to deliver scalable solutions
#LI-Onsite #LI-SA1
Benefits
Our total compensation package includes benefits, including but not limited to:
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
Helion 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. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.