Head of Facilities at Valar Atomics

<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>About Valar Atomics</strong></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>The Role</strong></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">We're seeking a Head of Facilities to own and scale the operations of our combined office and manufacturing site in Hawthorne. This role is responsible for ensuring that our physical environment enables world-class engineering and manufacturing—reliable, safe, compliant, and built to scale rapidly. You'll lead all aspects of facility operations, infrastructure, compliance, and expansion. The work is highly cross-functional and requires both strategic planning and hands-on execution.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Own end-to-end operations of our combined business office and manufacturing facility, ensuring safety, reliability, and operational excellence across all building systems.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Oversee maintenance of critical infrastructure (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire and life safety) with strong preventive maintenance programs and rapid response.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Manage HVAC and environmental systems to maintain required operating conditions for engineering and production while optimizing energy efficiency.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Oversee utilities (power, water, gas), including uptime, redundancy planning, capacity forecasting, and cost control.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Ensure proper storage systems and compliance for materials, equipment, and regulated items.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Oversee physical security and access control systems, ensuring a safe and controlled environment.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Manage parking, site traffic flow, and logistics for employees, visitors, and vendors.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Ensure clean, well-maintained, and fully functional workspaces, including offices, restrooms, and common areas.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Partner with external project management firms, contractors, and architects on construction, renovations, and site expansion.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Lead facility build-outs from concept through execution, including budgeting, permitting, and timelines, ensuring all projects meet operational, safety, and compliance standards.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Ensure full compliance with OSHA, building codes, fire regulations, and environmental standards, and own audit and inspection readiness across all regulatory bodies.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Implement and maintain emergency preparedness plans and incident response protocols, and serve as the around-the-clock emergency point of contact for facility-related issues.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Build and manage a high-performing, lean facilities team (technicians, custodial, and others) with clear accountability and performance standards.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Manage third-party vendors (janitorial, maintenance, security, and others), establishing SLAs and ensuring high-quality, cost-effective service, and lead vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance management.</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>You Will Be Successful in This Role If</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You operate with extreme ownership, seeing problems and fixing them rather than routing them.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You move quickly and prioritize what matters most for the business.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You're comfortable being both operator and builder, switching fluidly between hands-on execution and strategic planning.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You hold a high bar for safety, reliability, and execution across every system you touch.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You understand that facilities are a critical path to operations, not a support function, and you partner accordingly with engineering and manufacturing.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You communicate clearly and bring a customer-service mindset to internal stakeholders and external vendors alike.</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Basic Qualifications</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">8+ years operating facilities or infrastructure in high-performance environments (e.g., advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, energy).</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Proven track record of supporting hardware production, testing, or industrial operations.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Deep understanding of building systems—power, HVAC, utilities—and their impact on production and manufacturing.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience leading facility build-outs, expansions, or rapid reconfigurations.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Strong working knowledge of OSHA, ADA, safety systems, and regulatory requirements.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Demonstrated ability to operate hands-on in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Strong written and verbal communication skills with a customer-service mindset.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">High level of organization with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Based in or willing to relocate to Hawthorne, CA.</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Preferred Skills and Experience</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience standing up or scaling a manufacturing site from early stage.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience with high-power or specialized infrastructure environments.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Prior General Contractor license or experience.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Familiarity with CMMS or reliability engineering practices.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience in ITAR and export control environments.</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Equal Employment Opportunity Statement</strong></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).</p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Salary</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$150,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$220,000 USD</span></div></div></div>