Senior Mechanical Engineer at Valar Atomics

HawthorneFull-timeMechanical EngineeringPosted 22 days ago

About the Role

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 Role We're seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team and accelerate the frontier of advanced power generation. In this role, you'll be responsible for designing, developing, and validating mechanical systems and components that meet performance, manufacturability, and cost requirements. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative products from concept to production, and serve as a technical leader and mentor for less experienced engineers. Key Responsibilities <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&: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">Lead mechanical design efforts for major subsystems, ensuring alignment between performance targets, manufacturability, and cost.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Mentor junior engineers and review mechanical designs to ensure consistency with company standards and engineering rigor.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings (SolidWorks, Creo, or NX), applying advanced GD&T and tolerance analysis.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses (FEA and CFD) to validate system performance and reliability.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Oversee prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing, and interpret results to refine designs and improve system performance.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Partner with electrical, manufacturing, and systems engineers to drive integration and design optimization.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Work closely with vendors to manage DFM feedback, manufacturing process selection, and quality control.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Contribute to internal best practices for mechanical design, documentation, and configuration management.</li> </ul> You Will Be Successful in This Role If <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&: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 take true ownership of major subsystems, balancing performance, manufacturability, and cost in every design decision.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You bring strong technical judgment to design trade-offs and know when to dig deeper versus when to keep moving.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You apply analysis (FEA, CFD, hand calculations) appropriately, treating it as a tool for design decisions rather than a deliverable.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You partner effectively with manufacturing and supplier teams, designing for what can actually be built and inspected.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You mentor and develop other engineers, raising the technical capability of the team over time.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You communicate and document clearly, leaving designs and design intent that other engineers can build on.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You approach problems with a root-cause mindset, treating failures as opportunities to understand the system better.</li> </ul> Basic Qualifications <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&: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">Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">5–10 years of experience in mechanical design and product development.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Proven track record of designing and delivering production-ready hardware.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Expertise in CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar) and mechanical drafting standards.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience performing or overseeing FEA and CFD analyses.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Excellent communication, technical documentation, and leadership skills.</li> </ul> Preferred Skills and Experience <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&: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">Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience in high-performance or safety-critical systems (aerospace, energy, or defense).</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Deep understanding of DFM/DFA and reliability engineering.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Familiarity with PLM/PDM tools and design control processes.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Hands-on prototyping, testing, and validation experience.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Strong analytical mindset with the ability to lead root cause investigations.</li> </ul> What We Offer   <ul> <li>Competitive base salary </li> <li>Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company </li> <li>Comprehensive medical benefits </li> <li>Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite </li> <li>High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy </li> <li>Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement </li> <li>Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders </li> <li>The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up</li> </ul> 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).<div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Salary</div><div class="pay-range">$140,000—$185,000 USD</div></div></div>

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