Nuclear Operations Engineer

About Valar Atomics At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. The Team As part of the Plant Operations organization, Utah Site Operations manages the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and readiness of Valar's Utah facilities. The team supports safe, reliable site operations while enabling successful project execution.  The Role As an Nuclear Operations Engineer, you will design and execute structured engineering test programs for reactor components, control systems, and integrated plant operations. You will develop test plans, determine experimental conditions, analyze complex data sets, and generate engineering-level conclusions that inform plant performance, safety margins, and design evolution.  Key Responsibilities  Design engineering test plans for first of a kind reactor systems, subsystems, and control algorithms  Establish experimental conditions, analytical models, acceptance criteria, and evaluation methods  Conduct highly instrumented reactor and component test campaigns in collaboration with operations teams  Analyze complex thermal, structural, neutronic, and control data; interpret trends and anomalies  Develop engineering reports, test summaries, and recommendations for engineering change proposals  Serve as technical authority for experimental methods and test safety reviews  Provide input into reactor system design, safety cases, and operating envelopes  Evaluate fuel performance, system reliability, and stability margins during commissioning  Collaborate cross-functionally with design engineering, safety analysis, operations, and materials science teams  Author engineering procedures, test standards, and research documentation  Present findings to technical leadership, independent reviewers, and regulatory interfaces Support plant operations and maintenance as needed  You Will Be Successful in This Role If  You thrive in a dynamic startup environment and can adapt to evolving priorities without losing sight of all tasks.   You take extreme ownership of operational programs and can collaborate across disciplines to drive results.   You are willing to learn the regulatory frameworks that govern nuclear technology and ensure industry standards are implemented and fulfilled.   You hold a high bar for operational safety, can serve as a credible technical authority, and envision pathways for continuous system improvement.   You can identify and tackle problems wherever they arise, from analytical modeling and program development to shop-floor troubleshooting and hands-on labor.   You can communicate findings coherently and tailor reports to interface with technical authorities, regulatory reviewers, and the skilled trades workforce.   Basic Qualifications  Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field  Demonstrated experience in experimental test design, instrumentation, or complex system characterization  Strong analytical background in scientific or engineering methods  Ability to interpret test data and draw engineering-level conclusions  Experience developing technical reports, test plans, or engineering analyses  Willingness to relocate to Orangeville, UT.   Preferred Skills and Experience Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering or physics discipline  Experience with nuclear systems, reactor physics, or high-temperature process systems  Experience in test reactor environments, DOE labs, or advanced R&D facilities  Familiarity with TRISO fuel behavior, thermal hydraulics, or control theory  Hands-on experience with high-complexity experiments or commissioning activities  What We Offer   Competitive base salary  Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company  Comprehensive medical benefits  Unlimited PTO Free daily lunch   Generous PPE stipend High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy  Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement  Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders  The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).