EngineeringOn-site

Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Helion · On-site

Apply

Last seen by MeritLog September 12, 2026Source: AshbySource version: ashby-public-job-posting-v1

MeritLog read this listing from Helion's Ashby job board and last checked it on September 12, 2026.

Source: the employer's Ashby job board. Open the original listing for current details.

Job details

Work model: On-site
Salary: $214K - $255K
Location: Everett, WA

Hiring context

How this role compares at Helion

Helion has 77 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 4 job families, and 54 of them are in engineering. 74 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 96%.

This role's posted range of $214K - $255K sits above 80% of the 70 other Helion roles quoted over the same currency and period.

Helion concentrates this hiring in:

Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.

What the role asks for

What you'd do

Define manufacturing system architecture and long-term scalability strategy across production lines and future factory builds
Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that shape how Helion designs, builds, and scales manufacturing systems
Lead the development and commissioning of custom, precision manufacturing equipment and integrated production systems
Identify and prioritize high-impact investments across equipment, automation, and factory capabilities to enable step-change improvements in scale
Solve complex, ambiguous manufacturing challenges, making high-leverage technical decisions with company-wide impact
Serve as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction and elevating execution across teams
12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems, ideally in complex electromechanical environments
Demonstrated ownership of manufacturing systems or production lines from concept through production ramp at scale
Experience defining systems, processes, or architecture in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments
Proven track record of leading large, cross-functional engineering initiatives with broad organizational impact
Strong cross-functional leadership across Design Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities
Track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers

Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.

Job description

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: As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Helion, you will define and drive the architecture of our manufacturing systems as we scale from prototype builds to high-volume production. You will own manufacturing system strategy, lead the development of custom equipment and production systems, and serve as a technical authority across Manufacturing, Design, and Production. This role operates in a highly ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environment and requires balancing near-term execution with long-term scalability across future production lines. This is an onsite role that reports directly to Factory Development Manager at our Everett, WA, office. You Will: - Define manufacturing system architecture and long-term scalability strategy across production lines and future factory builds - Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives that shape how Helion designs, builds, and scales manufacturing systems - Lead the development and commissioning of custom, precision manufacturing equipment and integrated production systems - Identify and prioritize high-impact investments across equipment, automation, and factory capabilities to enable step-change improvements in scale - Solve complex, ambiguous manufacturing challenges, making high-leverage technical decisions with company-wide impact - Serve as a technical leader and mentor, influencing engineering direction and elevating execution across teams Required Skills: - 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, or production systems, ideally in complex electromechanical environments - Demonstrated ownership of manufacturing systems or production lines from concept through production ramp at scale - Experience defining systems, processes, or architecture in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments - Proven track record of leading large, cross-functional engineering initiatives with broad organizational impact - Strong cross-functional leadership across Design Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities - Track record of influencing technical direction and mentoring engineers #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.

Keep exploring

More Engineering roles

Search all jobs