LabVIEW Controls 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, 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:

We are seeking a Controls & Data Acquisition Engineer to design, develop, and support control and DAQ systems for fusion technology R&D and manufacturing. These systems enable operation of development test bays, manufacturing automation, and end-of-line quality and acceptance testing.

You will work across the full system lifecycle—from requirements definition through deployment and operational support—collaborating closely with hardware, software, and manufacturing engineers. You will report to the R&D Manager, onsite in our Everett, WA office.

You Will:

• Design, develop, and maintain LabVIEW-based control and DAQ systems using PXI/PXIe/cRIO/RIO hardware in Windows and/or Linux RT environments

• Develop intuitive GUIs for machine control, health monitoring, and data visualization

• Implement state-machine-based control architectures and integrate modular subsystems (cRIOs, PLCs, industrial controllers)

• Integrate sensors and external instrumentation into high-speed data acquisition systems

• Implement and maintain network communications and device interfaces using industry protocols (e.g., RS-232, TCP/IP, VISA, Modbus)

• Perform system verification, bench testing, commissioning, and deployment

• Provide operational troubleshooting and sustainment support

• Produce clear, complete system documentation, including schematics, block diagrams, and well-documented code

• Communicate technical progress, risks, and tradeoffs to stakeholders

Required Skills:

• B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with 3+ years of relevant experience, or M.S. with 1+ years of experience

• Strong proficiency in LabVIEW, including control system and GUI development

• Experience owning end-to-end development of complex control and DAQ systems

• Hands-on experience with National Instruments hardware (PXI, PXIe, cRIO), including Real-Time and/or FPGA environments

• Experience programming industrial and automation hardware (PLCs, cRIOs, microcontrollers)

• Familiarity with common communication protocols (UART, RS-232, TCP/IP, SPI, I²C, Modbus)

• Experience integrating and controlling laboratory and industrial equipment (e.g., flow controllers, gauges, pumps, oscilloscopes, power supplies)

• Experience with power supply control, precision timing, voltage monitoring, and high-speed data acquisition

• Experience developing and maintaining detailed technical documentation, including electrical schematics and system diagrams

• Strong learning mindset and desire to innovate

#LI-Onsite #LI-IB1

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.