Director of Research, Development and Operations

What You Will Be Doing:

Helion is hiring a Director of Research, Development, and Test Operations to lead the team innovation across our fusion generators, subscale plasma devices, vacuum testing, circuit development and other research projects required to meet our goal of delivering fusion energy to the grid by 2028. In this critical leadership role, you will define and drive the pace at which Helion builds, tests, and learns from each generation of fusion technology. Building the processes, culture and standards of excellence required to achieve these goals, your work will directly accelerate our ability to deliver affordable, clean electricity to the world.

This position sits at the intersection of science, engineering, and operations, and reports directly to our CEO.

You Will:

• Accelerate Fusion Development: Set the standard for rapid iteration and data-driven development of Helion's fusion generators and plasma systems
• Lead and Grow a World-Class Team: Manage a cross-disciplinary team of experimental scientists and engineers focused on fast paced experimentation
• Shape Operation Campaigns: Partner with Helion's Science and Engineering teams to execute high-impact experimental programs in plasma physics and generator operations. Overseeing the team responsible for implementing several multimillion-dollar research and engineering project simultaneously
• Maximize Uptime: Improve operational efficiency, reliability, and turnaround time of fusion generator tests through process optimization, tooling development, and coordination with engineering teams
• Promote Data Transparency: Ensure seamless data flow between Operations, Engineering, Production, and Research teams to enable informed design decisions for future generations of fusion machines
• Define Long-Term Strategy: Develop a strategic roadmap for future machine design, production, and testing capabilities. Define pathway to delivering and operating fusion power plants, including the operational infrastructure, training and safety

Required Skills:

• Master's degree in engineering or physics
• 10+ years of experience in R&D and operational leadership within engineering environments
• 7+ years managing large, technically challenging programs with full schedule and resource ownership
• 5+ years of experience managing technical teams, including managing managers
• Expertise in experimental design and data collection for complex multi-physics systems
• Demonstrated ability to apply first-principles thinking and analytical rigor to solve engineering and scientific challenges
• Cross-functional leadership and collaboration skills with experience guiding diverse technical teams

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