Senior Materials Engineer, Diagnostics

Helion•Everett, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Senior Materials Engineer, Diagnostics to lead the development of materials health monitoring for Helion’s fusion generators. You will design, qualify, and deploy in-situ and ex-situ diagnostics to detect and quantify materials degradation under combined stimuli, including thermomechanical stress, radiation, high electric fields, and coolant environments. You will work cross-functionally with Materials, Research, and Engineering teams to translate failure modes into measurable signals and integrate diagnostics into hardware and predictive models. This onsite role is based in Everett, WA.

Requirements

BS with 10+ years, or MS/PhD with 5+ years, in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or related field
5+ years (with PhD or MS) or 10+ years (with BS) of experience in at least one of: Materials diagnostics / NDE / SHM (strain, acoustic, optical, EM, fiberoptic, etc.).
Familiarity with data analysis / feature extraction for degradation detection (Python preferred).
Experience designing and executing coupled-stimuli experiments (e.g., thermomechanical, electrothermal, irradiation with stress)
Experience embedding or integrating sensors into structural materials (ceramics, composites, polymers, or metals)

Nice To Haves

Experience in fusion, fission, accelerator, or high-radiation environments
Experience with radiation effects and post-irradiation examination (PIE)
Familiarity with high-voltage systems or safety-critical experimental environments

Responsibilities

Develop and deploy in-situ and ex-situ diagnostics for degradation and failure in fusion-relevant materials and components (e.g., first wall, magnets, insulators, capacitors, HV interfaces, seals)
Translate failure and degradation modes into measurable signals using sensors, inspection methods, or indirect indicators
Design and execute coupled-stimuli experiments and post-irradiation examinations (PIE) to validate diagnostic methods
Build test matrices and analysis plans linking microstructural evolution to sensor outputs and component performance
Own the materials diagnostics roadmap by converting risk assessments into diagnostic requirements (what to measure, where, how often, and accuracy)
Collaborate with design engineers to embed diagnostics into hardware and ensure compatibility with system constraints
Partner with modeling teams to integrate diagnostic outputs into predictive models and maintenance strategies
Productize diagnostic methods and sensors for reliable deployment in fusion environments
Document test plans, procedures, and design guidance; communicate results, risks, and recommendations across teams