Software Engineer, Plant Control

About HelionWe 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 DoingAs a Software Engineer on the Plant Control team, you will help design, build, and scale the software systems that operate Helion’s fusion generators and the Orion fusion power plant. You will work across control systems, diagnostics, data infrastructure, operator interfaces, automation, and integration with electrical, mechanical, firmware, and science teams.This is a generalist software role for someone who is comfortable moving between architecture and implementation, prototypes and production systems, and high-level plant design and hands-on machine operation. You will build software that interfaces with real hardware, supports rapid engineering iteration, and helps turn experimental fusion systems into reliable power plant infrastructure.You will work onsite at our Everett, WA office.You WillDesign, build, and maintain software for plant control, diagnostics, automation, and operator workflowsDevelop interfaces that connect distributed sensors, actuators, controllers, databases, and visualization toolsBuild reliable tools for monitoring machine health, system performance, test execution, and plant operationsCreate and improve graphical user interfaces for engineers, operators, and scientists working with fusion machines and testbedsImplement software that supports real-time control, data acquisition, and system coordinationWork with Electrical Engineering, Firmware, Mechanical Engineering, IT, Operations, and Science teams to integrate software with complex hardware systemsImprove the reliability, usability, and scalability of Helion’s internal control and diagnostic platformsInvestigate and introduce new tools, frameworks, and infrastructure that accelerate engineering developmentApply first-principles thinking to ambiguous technical problems where the right answer is not yet obviousRequired SkillsBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience2+ years of professional software engineering experienceStrong programming ability in a systems programming language such as C++, Rust, or similarExperience with Python or another high-level scripting languageExperience building software that interfaces with hardware, sensors, instruments, control systems, or other real-world systemsComfortable working in Linux environmentsExperience designing maintainable software systems, including testing, version control, debugging, and deployment practicesAbility to work across the full software lifecycle, from requirements gathering and prototyping through production supportStrong systems-level problem-solving skills and ability to debug issues across software, hardware, networks, and data flowsAbility to collaborate closely with engineers and scientists from multiple disciplinesWillingness to work onsite and stay close to the hardware, operators, and users of the systems you buildDesired SkillsExperience with distributed control systems, industrial automation, SCADA, PLCs, or machine controlExperience with the V-model of development, including requirements definition, verification, validation, and traceabilityExperience with precision timing, synchronization, PTP, or deterministic systemsExperience with embedded Linux, real-time systems, or low-level systems programmingExperience with time-series databases, data pipelines, and visualization tools such as InfluxDB, Grafana, or similar platformsExperience building operator interfaces, internal engineering tools, dashboards, or data-rich GUIsExperience with Docker, CI/CD, configuration management, or deployment automationExperience working in high-energy systems, aerospace, robotics, manufacturing, power systems, scientific instrumentation, or other complex hardware environments#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1BenefitsOur 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 stipendHelion 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.Compensation Range: $185K - $240KLocationEverett, WAEmployment TypeFull timeLocation TypeOn-siteDepartmentSoftware EngineeringCompensation$185K – $240K