Health Physicist
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 and 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). Now, we're turning up operations for Polaris, working towards delivering the world's first fusion power plant.
More than ever, it's a pivotal time to join us and have the opportunity to solve real challenges to create a better energy future. You will see first-hand how we value urgency, rigor, ownership, and hard truths, knowing it will take each to do what no one has before. Joining us, you will push the boundaries of what's possible and transform humanity for the better - because the world can't wait.
What You Will Be Doing:
We are looking for a Health Physicist to join our Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science (RaSNS) team to work with radiation, radioactive materials, radiation survey equipment, and team members unfamiliar with these subjects, as we build Polaris and future fusion generators. This position offers opportunities for both early-career professionals and experienced individuals ready to make a significant impact on radiation safety practices at Helion.
As a member of the radiation safety contingent of the RaSNS team, which includes radiation safety, nuclear engineering, and materials engineering contingents, you will work closely with diverse teams across Helion, such as Test Operations, Research, Engineering, and Production. You will report to our RSO at our Everett, WA office.
You Will:
- Design, establish, and implement a comprehensive radiation safety program, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory compliance
- Uphold and apply the principles of ALARA in all activities
- Handle and manage radiation and radioactive material including photons, neutrons, tritium, and activated material, while developing and optimizing handling protocols
- Operate survey equipment including liquid scintillation counters, NaI detectors, HPGe detectors, Geiger counters, and ion chambers
- Perform critical health physics functions, including dosimetry, leak tests, wipe tests, radiation surveys, environmental monitoring and developing operating procedures
- Communicate radiation safety principles and health effects effectively to team members with varying levels of expertise
- For Senior-Level Candidates: Lead and mentor junior team members and partner teams, driving strategic initiatives and contributing to innovative safety methodologies tailored to fusion technology
Required Skills:
We welcome candidates with a range of experience:
- Early-Career Candidates: At least 2+ years of hands-on work with radioactive material, a foundational understanding of radiation types and their health effects, and education in radiation protection principles
- Mid to Senior-Level Candidates: 5-8+ years of progressive experience in radiation safety, with demonstrated leadership in designing and managing complex safety programs. Advanced qualifications or certifications such as CHP (Certified Health Physicist) are highly desirable for senior candidates
#LI-Onsite #LI-KL1
Compensation and Benefits
At Helion, we are committed to fostering a fair and equitable environment in every aspect of our operations, including compensation. We ensure all our roles are competitively benchmarked and our total compensation package includes a base salary, comprehensive benefits, and equity grants, giving you a true stake in Helion's success. Final compensation is determined through a holistic evaluation of your experience, qualifications, and our commitment to maintaining internal equity, ensuring fairness and transparency across our teams.
This is an exempt salaried role.
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
NOTE: Underrepresented people are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of the job's requirements. We believe in hiring people, not checklists, and encourage you to apply even if you do not check all of the boxes. If this job isn't the one, we have many other openings that may be a fit.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. If we reach out to you to begin an interview process, we will also ask if you require any reasonable accommodation at that time.