Test Automation Engineer, Manufacturing

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: You will own and improve automated manufacturing test systems for high-voltage electrical assemblies used in energy-storage components for Helion’s fusion generators. This role sits within Manufacturing Engineering and supports the transition from prototype builds to volume manufacturing by developing production test processes, integrating instrumentation, improving test software, troubleshooting equipment issues, and ensuring test stations are safe, repeatable, maintainable, and scalable. You will work closely with Design Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and external vendors to improve test coverage, throughput, equipment readiness, and manufacturing traceability. This is an onsite role that reports directly to the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering at our Everett, WA office. You Will: Own and improve automated manufacturing test systems from prototype implementation through production release, ramp, and sustainment. Develop production test processes for capacitor manufacturing, including in-line testing, end-of-line testing, accelerated qualification testing, and safe commissioning practices. Translate product requirements, failure modes, and pulsed-power circuit requirements into repeatable test methods, limits, diagnostics, and acceptance criteria. Develop and maintain test software, data collection systems, visualization tools, automated reporting, and analysis tools used to monitor test station performance, yield, throughput, process health, and KPIs. Integrate programmable instrumentation, sensors, controls, and test equipment into safe, reliable, and maintainable automated test systems. Design and improve automated test processes with appropriate controls for high-voltage and stored-energy hazards, including interlocks, fault handling, procedural controls, and equipment documentation. Work cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Operations Engineering, Maintenance, technicians, and vendors to improve design for test, automation, manufacturability, maintainability, MES integration, traceability, and production ramp readiness. Troubleshoot automated test equipment, establish root cause, and implement corrective actions that improve uptime, reliability, and recurrence prevention. Required Skills: 5+ years of experience developing, deploying, or sustaining automated manufacturing test systems, production equipment, or semi-/fully automated manufacturing processes in a hardware manufacturing environment. Strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals, including process development, production ramp, equipment readiness, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement. Proficiency developing test automation software in Python or a comparable language for production equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition, or automated test execution. Experience integrating programmable instrumentation or test equipment using SCPI, GPIB, Ethernet/LAN, serial communication, DAQ hardware, or similar interfaces. Ability to translate product requirements, failure modes, and engineering assumptions into repeatable production test methods, limits, diagnostics, and acceptance criteria. Experience working cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Operations, Production, Maintenance, technicians, supply chain, and external equipment vendors. Experience using SQL or similar database tools for manufacturing data collection, analysis, traceability, reporting, or critical data management. Working knowledge of high-voltage electrical circuits, stored-energy hazards, and safe test system design principles.

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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.