Helion
Computational Plasma Research Summer 2027 Intern
Everett, WA · On-site · Intern
- Discipline
- Other
- Industry
- Energy
Spec sheet
Automatically summarized from the employer’s posting. Check the original description below for full requirements.
Computational Plasma Research Summer 2027 Intern at Helion (Everett, WA): perform on-site 12-week summer research using plasma simulation tools to study FRC-related physics, produce a report, and present findings to the research team. Requires currently enrolled PhD student in Physics or Aerospace Eng, GPA 3.0+, and ability to start full-time by May 2028.
PhD in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (current PhD student)
Required
- full-time onsite in Everett, WA
- minimum 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2027
- pursuing a PhD in Physics or Aerospace Engineering or related field
- relevant experience in plasmas
- complete PhD and commence full-time employment by May 2028
- GPA 3.0+
- experience with plasma simulation codes (e.g. PIC, Vlasov, MHD)
- team research experience
Preferred
- experience with plasma simulation codes
- team-based research experience
- on-site work in Everett
Employer 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:
The computational research team at Helion works with multiple plasma simulation codes to simulate and analyze Helion’s fusion machines and test beds. The goal of the simulation effort is to develop predictive computational capabilities derived from first principles, validated against experimental data across multiple FRC merging devices, to inform next-generation fusion machine design.
You Will:
Be responsible for using Helion’s computational suite of tools to study a particular aspect of the machine, which could include FRC formation, translation, merging, or compression
Work with your team and mentor to develop a simulation study and develop a set of results
Develop a report and present your findings to the broader research team at Helion
Required Skills:
Ability to work full time, onsite in Everett, WA for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2027
Currently pursuing a PhD in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with relevant experience in plasmas
Must be able to complete their PhD program and commence full-time employment no later than May 2028
GPA of 3.0 or above
Experience working with plasma simulation codes (e.g. PIC, Vlasov codes, MHD)
Experience doing research in a team environment
Scripting and analysis in Python, C++ or MATLAB
#LI-Onsite #LI-TM1
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