Senior Process Control Engineer

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 Doing:As a Senior Process Control Engineer, you will lead the development of the control strategy and automation architecture for Helion's fusion fuel cycle systems. You will work at the intersection of process engineering, plant design, and operations to define how a first-of-a-kind process is monitored, controlled, and operated safely and reliably. This role requires an engineer who can quickly understand an evolving fusion fuel cycle process, determine the appropriate control and automation approach, and own implementation from early design through commissioning, including the unique challenge of integration with the fusion machine controller. You will serve as the technical owner of process controls for a critical part of Helion's path to commercial fusion. You will report directly to the Fuel Cycle Operations Lead at our Everett, WA office. You Will:Develop and own the control philosophy, control architecture, and automation strategy for Orion fuel cycle systemsDecompose mission requirements into control system architectures, instrumentation strategies, automation requirements, and HMI, alarming, and operational data system specificationsLead vendor evaluation and selection and manage technical execution to ensure successful delivery, integration, commissioning, and operation of fuel cycle controls systemsCollaborate with the Plant Controls Team and external vendors to define system interfaces, develop ICDs, and integrate fuel cycle controls into the plant automation architectureStandardize and oversee development of important deliverables including control narratives, instrument datasheets, I/O lists, loop diagrams, and cause & effect diagrams for fuel cycle controllersLead remote and onsite commissioning of fuel cycle control systems for the world’s first fusion power plant, located in Malaga, WARequired Skills:Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline8+ years of experience developing and deploying industrial process control systems in complex manufacturing, chemical, energy, or related process industriesExperience supporting industrial control systems across multiple project phases, including design, implementation, commissioning and operations Demonstrated expertise in process controls engineering, including instrumentation selection and automation system architecture Experience designing industrial control systems with cybersecurity, reliability, maintainability and process safety requirements in mind, including familiarity with LOPA methodologies, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and SIF/SIL lifecycle activitiesDemonstrated ability to independently navigate ambiguity, rapidly learn new technical domains, and drive cross-functional decisionsPreferred Skills: Experience with first-of-a-kind facilities, pilot plants, advanced energy systems, nuclear technologies, gas processing, semiconductor manufacturing, or specialty chemical processesExperience with control systems for processes involving gas handling, separation, vacuum, cryogenic operations, or other systems with complex process dynamics and specialized instrumentation requirements Familiarity with industrial control system cybersecurity, functional safety, and regulatory compliance frameworks, including ISA/IEC 62443, IEC 61511, NERC, and WECCExperience with multiple industrial control platforms, enabling informed evaluation and selection, such as Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell Experion, Yokogawa CENTUM, Siemens PCS7, or similar systems#LI-Onsite #LI-TM1BenefitsOur 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: $182K - $214KLocationEverett, WAEmployment TypeFull timeLocation TypeOn-siteDepartmentFuel CycleCompensation$182K – $214K