Senior Software Engineer, Network/Performance at Helion

Helion

Everett, WA·15h ago

SeniorFull-timeGit

Salary Range

$132,600 - $179,400 /year

Estimated

This salary is estimated based on similar roles. The actual salary may vary.

About the Role

We are looking for a Network and Performance Software Engineer to join Helion, a fusion power company based in Everett, WA. This role focuses on owning the architecture and reliability of communication networks that connect our fusion machine and plant-scale systems.

Key Responsibilities

→Own the design, configuration, and operation of machine- and plant-wide networking infrastructure.
→Define and maintain networking requirements for bandwidth, latency, time synchronization, redundancy, and reliability.
→Design, test, and validate networking technologies, including Ethernet, Industrial Ethernet, EtherCAT, PTP/NTP, Time-Triggered Ethernet, and emerging precision timing protocols
→Configure, prototype, and test industrial switches, routers, and network devices to meet performance and reliability goals.
→Work with Security Engineers to harden networks, including segmentation, authentication, and intrusion detection.
→Collaborate with IS&T to define plant-to-enterprise interfaces and ensure integration with corporate systems.
→Work with Electrical Systems/Integration Engineers on system level requirements, machine integration, and harnessing ICDs
→Partner with hardware/software teams to ensure networking requirements are aligned with machine-level controls and performance needs.
→Monitor, diagnose, and improve network performance, proactively identifying bottlenecks or failure points.

Requirements

✓Strong background in Linux-based systems administration and networking.
✓Proficiency with Git and modern software development workflows.
✓Deep understanding of TCP/IP networking, VLANs, and switch configuration.
✓Hands-on experience with time synchronization protocols (PTP, NTP) and precision timing architectures.
✓Knowledge of fault-tolerance and redundancy design in industrial or mission-critical networks.
✓Experience with Industrial Ethernet protocols (EtherCAT strongly preferred).
✓Familiarity with configuring and tuning managed switches, routers, and industrial networking devices.
✓Ability to debug, test, and validate network performance under load and in real-time conditions.