Senior Computational Plasma Scientist - Kinetic / PIC Modeling

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: Helion is hiring a Senior Computational Plasma Scientist to run and interpret kinetic / Particle-in-Cell simulations that help advance our understanding of plasma behavior in Helion’s fusion generators. In this role, you will use tools such as WarpX or similar PIC codes to design simulation campaigns, analyze large-scale field and particle outputs, and compare results against experimental data from Helion’s operating machines. You will focus on turning kinetic simulations into actionable physics insight for topics such as plasma startup, RF/plasma interactions, particle transport, sheath behavior, and other effects that may not be fully captured by fluid or MHD models. This position reports to the Manager of Computational Science at our Everett, WA office and plays a key role in advancing Helion’s path toward fusion electricity. You Will: - Run kinetic / Particle-in-Cell simulations using WarpX or similar PIC codes to study plasma behavior relevant to Helion’s FRC systems - Develop simulation input decks, PICMI scripts, parameter scans, and repeatable workflows for targeted kinetic modeling studies - Analyze field, particle, and diagnostic outputs from large-scale PIC simulations using Python or similar scientific computing tools - Compare kinetic simulation results against experimental measurements and translate findings into clear physical insight - Partner with experimental scientists, diagnostics engineers, RF engineers, and MHD modelers to determine where PIC modeling can add the most value - Build analysis scripts, visualizations, and reduced data products that make complex simulation results usable across teams Required Skills: - PhD in Plasma Physics, Applied Physics, Computational Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field - 3+ years of post-graduation experience running, analyzing, or interpreting kinetic / Particle-in-Cell plasma simulations in academic, national lab, or industry settings - Strong understanding of kinetic plasma physics and Particle-in-Cell modeling methods - Experience running and interpreting PIC simulations using WarpX, OSIRIS, VPIC, EPOCH, Smilei, LSP, FBPIC, or comparable codes - Experience designing simulation campaigns, including input setup, boundary conditions, parameter scans, convergence checks, and validation workflows - Strong scientific programming skills in Python, MATLAB, Julia, C++, Fortran, or similar languages for simulation analysis and visualization - Ability to communicate complex simulation results clearly to computational, experimental, and cross-functional audiences 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.