Test Automation Engineer, Manufacturing
Helion•4h ago
United StatesOnsite$164K–$200KFull-timeMid Level5+ yrs exp
Top focus
Automation Test EngineerPerformance Test 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 own and improve automated manufacturing test systems for high-voltage electrical assemblies used in energy-storage components for Helion’s fusion generators. This role sits within Manufacturing Engineering and supports the transition from prototype builds to volume manufacturing by developing production test processes, integrating instrumentation, improving test software, troubleshooting equipment issues
- ensuring test stations are safe, repeatable, maintainable
- scalable. You will work closely with Design Engineering, Operations, Maintenance
- external vendors to improve test coverage, throughput, equipment readiness
- manufacturing traceability. This is an onsite role that reports directly to the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering at our Everett, WA office. You Will: Own and improve automated manufacturing test systems from prototype implementation through production release, ramp
- sustainment. Develop production test processes for capacitor manufacturing, including in-line testing, end-of-line testing, accelerated qualification testing
- safe commissioning practices. Translate product requirements, failure modes
- pulsed-power circuit requirements into repeatable test methods, limits, diagnostics
- acceptance criteria. Develop and maintain test software, data collection systems, visualization tools, automated reporting
- analysis tools used to monitor test station performance, yield, throughput, process health
- KPIs. Integrate programmable instrumentation, sensors, controls
- test equipment into safe, reliable
- maintainable automated test systems. Design and improve automated test processes with appropriate controls for high-voltage and stored-energy hazards, including interlocks, fault handling, procedural controls
- equipment documentation. Work cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Operations Engineering, Maintenance, technicians
- vendors to improve design for test, automation, manufacturability, maintainability, MES integration, traceability
- production ramp readiness. Troubleshoot automated test equipment, establish root cause
- implement corrective actions that improve uptime, reliability
- recurrence prevention. Required Skills: 5+ years of experience developing, deploying
- sustaining automated manufacturing test systems, production equipment
- semi-/fully automated manufacturing processes in a hardware manufacturing environment. Strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals, including process development, production ramp, equipment readiness, troubleshooting, root cause analysis
- continuous improvement. Proficiency developing test automation software in Python or a comparable language for production equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition
- automated test execution. Experience integrating programmable instrumentation or test equipment using SCPI, GPIB, Ethernet/LAN, serial communication, DAQ hardware
- similar interfaces. Ability to translate product requirements, failure modes
- engineering assumptions into repeatable production test methods, limits, diagnostics
- acceptance criteria. Experience working cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Operations, Production, Maintenance, technicians, supply chain
- external equipment vendors. Experience using SQL or similar database tools for manufacturing data collection, analysis, traceability, reporting
- critical data management. Working knowledge of high-voltage electrical circuits, stored-energy hazards
- safe test system design principles. #LI-ONSITE #LI-SA1 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
- disability status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.
Required skills
PythonSQLSCPIGPIBEthernetLANserial communicationDAQmanufacturing engineeringprocess developmenttroubleshootingroot cause analysiscontinuous improvement