Valar Atomics is a nuclear energy startup developing advanced small reactors and clusters of reactors to supply large-scale energy needs.
<p><strong>About Valar Atomics</strong></p> <p>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 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.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p> <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> <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_&]: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> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Basic Qualifications</strong></p> <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+ 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> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Preferred Skills and Experience</strong></p> <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