LabVIEW Controls Engineer

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 over $1 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors SoftBank and Lightspeed to propel us forward. Our last prototype, Trenta, completed 10,000 high-power pulses and reached plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius (9 keV). We are now operating Polaris, our next prototype on the path to the world's first fusion power plant. 

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 develop, maintain, and enhance control and data acquisition (DAQ) systems critical to Helion’s fusion and plasma technology programs. You will work cross-functionally to design and implement subsystems that support the operation of large-scale fusion machines. This role involves full-stack control systems development—including GUI/HMI design, state machine programming, hardware integration, high-speed data capture, visualization, network communication, and documentation. You will report to the R&D Manager and this is an onsite role located at our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

• Build LabVIEW-based control systems using PXIe, cRIO, or RIO on Windows or Linux RT

• Develop GUIs for machine control, monitoring, and data display

• Integrate modular subsystems (e.g., PLCs, cRIOs) into broader control architectures

• Implement communication protocols (e.g., RS-232, VISA, TCP/IP) to interface with devices such as flow controllers, gauge controllers, turbopumps, and oscilloscopes

• Support sensor integration for machine diagnostics and physics data

• Execute bench testing, system verification, and deployment

• Troubleshoot and support system operation

• Maintain detailed documentation and communicate progress to stakeholders

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with 3+ years of experience (or a Master’s degree with 1+ year)

• Proficient in LabVIEW, including GUI and control system development

• Experience with PXI, PXIe, or cRIO hardware and industrial protocols

• Experience with integrating and programming automation hardware

• Strong documentation skills, including code, system schematics, and user instructions

• Experience leading technical efforts while collaborating with cross-functional teams

#LI-Onsite #LI-TM1

Total Compensation and Benefits

Helion's compensation package includes a competitively benchmarked base salary, meaningful equity grants, and comprehensive benefits. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to internal equity - ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams. We are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation.

This is an exempt salaried role.

Annual Base Pay

$123,000—$164,000 USD

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.