Helion · 2 days ago
Principal Plasma Data Scientist
Everett, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
$250K/yr - $290K/yr
10+ years expHelion is a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, focused on building the world's first fusion power plant. The role involves developing and validating advanced machine learning frameworks to accelerate experimental FRC plasma modeling, supporting cross-disciplinary fusion research, and contributing to high-impact modeling that informs experimental design and interpretation.
EnergyEnvironmental EngineeringRenewable Energy
Responsibilities
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 workflows
Reproduce experimental plasma conditions within ML modeling workflows to support interpretation of magnetic diffusion, circuit response, and diagnostic measurements
Generate analysis scripts for post‑processing, parsing model outputs, and visualizing correlations between ML‑based predictions and experimental results
Collaborate with plasma‑physics, pulsed‑power, and transient‑magnetics experts to expand the fidelity and fusion‑relevance of ML‑enabled modeling frameworks
Communicate results with rigor and clarity through reports, presentations, and technical visualizations for research stakeholders
Qualification
Required
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; Fortran or HPC exposure valuable)
Familiarity with magnetic diffusion, circuit coupling, or plasma‑dynamics modeling in pulsed‑power or electromagnetics systems
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
Company
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.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Helion has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2024 (1)
2023 (2)
2022 (1)
2021 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.04BKey Investors
Nucor CorporationSam AltmanDustin Moskovitz
2025-01-28Series F· $425M
2023-09-27Corporate Round· $35M
2021-11-05Series E· $500M
Leadership Team
David Kirtley
Founder and CEO
Chris Pihl
Co-Founder, CTO
Recent News
2026-01-12
2025-12-24
Company data provided by crunchbase