Category Manager, Technical Equipment

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: Helion is seeking a seasoned Category Manager to lead the development and scaling of a world-class supply chain for the capital equipment that powers next-generation fusion energy systems. In this role, you will own strategic sourcing initiatives for the capital equipment and components critical to fusion energy production, from custom vacuum systems and power electronics to precision-machined assemblies and specialized manufacturing equipment. You will build and manage critical supplier relationships, drive cost and capacity strategies, and play a key role in enabling Helion's mission to deliver fusion energy at scale. This is a high-impact, onsite role based in Everett, WA, reporting to the Director of Supply Chain. You Will: - Own the capital equipment category, sourcing custom equipment, components, and assemblies required to produce fusion energy in collaboration with engineering, science teams, and production. Drive cost reductions and secure vendor capacity to support schedule and budget requirements. - Identify new capital equipment vendors and maintain strong relationships with existing vendors to develop a diverse and robust supply chain for fusion-critical systems. - Lead bidding efforts for capital equipment purchases. Negotiate contract terms and manage existing contracts with vendors, including manufacturing service agreements, stocking programs, and non-disclosure agreements. - Develop and execute category strategies for capital equipment that align with fusion program milestones, balancing cost, lead time, and technical risk. - Lead initiatives and projects cross-functionally, partnering closely with engineering to translate technical requirements into sourcing and procurement plans. Required Skills: - Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. - 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain, including 5+ years sourcing complex capital equipment or highly engineered systems. - Experience managing $100M+ in spend and executing category strategies across supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, delivery, and qualification. - Demonstrated success developing global suppliers and managing cost, capacity, lead-time, quality, and supply risks in an engineering-driven, R&D-to-production environment. - Strong commercial and cross-functional leadership skills, with experience negotiating complex agreements and partnering with engineering, manufacturing, finance, and program teams. 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.