CNC Programmer

Valar Atomics; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Free daily lunch and dinner onsite

Generous PPE stipend

High-impact startup environment withOw

Opportunities for rapid career growth

Job summary

Valar Atomics is seeking a CNC Programmer to develop and optimize CNC programs for precision components used in modular nuclear reactor systems. Translate drawings and CAD models into efficient toolpaths while collaborating with machinists and engineering to meet tight tolerances.

Join a high-ownership startup environment offering equity, onsite meals, and rapid career growth as you help scale transformative energy technology from the ground up.

Qualifications

• 5+ years CNC programming in manufacturing, aerospace, or precision machining.
• Proficiency with CAM software ESPRIT EDGE or Fusion 360.
• Ability to read complex engineering drawings, GD&T, and CAD models.
• Strong machining fundamentals and material properties knowledge.
• Experience programming tight-tolerance parts (ASME Y14.5, aerospace or nuclear-grade specs).

Responsibilities

• Develop CNC programs for mills and lathes using CAM software ESPRIT EDGE and/or Fusion 360.
• Translate CAD models and drawings into efficient, repeatable toolpaths and setups.
• Select tooling, feeds, speeds, and work-holding strategies for materials including stainless steel, nickel alloy and graphite.
• Partner with machinists to debug and refine programs at the machine; troubleshoot cycle time and quality issues.
• Provide design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback to engineering during part design.
• Maintain and organize program libraries, post-processors, and documentation.
• Support first-article inspection and process validation for new parts.

Skills

CNC programming

GD&T reading

Machining fundamentals

Tools

ESPRIT EDGE

Fusion 360

Job description

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 theManufacturingorganization, the Machine Shop manufactures precision components that meet exacting engineering and quality standards.The team supports rapid development, prototyping, and production through advanced machining capabilities.

The Role

Valar Atomics is looking for a CNC Programmer to develop and optimize CNC programs for precision components used in our modular nuclear reactor systems. You will translate engineering drawings and CAD models into efficient, repeatable toolpaths, working closely with machinists and engineering to hit tight tolerances on a wide range of materials. This role has high ownership over process and directly shapes how our shop turns designs into hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop CNC programs for mills and lathes using CAM software (ESPRIT EDGE and/or Fusion 360).
• Translate CAD models and engineering drawings into efficient, repeatable toolpaths and setups.
• Select appropriate tooling, feeds, speeds, and work-holding strategies for a range of materials including stainless steel, nickel alloy and Graphite.
• Partner with machinists to debug and refine programs at the machine; troubleshoot cycle time and quality issues.
• Provide design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback to engineering during part design.
• Maintain and organize program libraries, post-processors, and documentation.
• Support first-article inspection and process validation for new parts.

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC programming experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, or precision machining environment.
• Proficiency with CAM software (ESPRIT EDGE, Fusion 360, or similar) for mills and/or lathes.
• Strong ability to read and work from complex engineering drawings, GD&T, and CAD models.
• Solid understanding of machining fundamentals, tooling, and material properties.
• Experience programming for tight-tolerance parts (ASME Y14.5, aerospace or nuclear-grade specs preferred).
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup manufacturing environment with evolving processes.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with machinists and engineering.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 5-axis programming experience.
• Experience setting up In-Machine Probing to verify parts without removing parts
• Experience with Automation and lights out programming
• Experience programming Graphite Material or similar abrasive material
• Hands-on machining experience (able to run/debug programs at the machine).
• Experience standing up CNC programs and processes for a new manufacturing line.

What We Offer

• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• 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).

$40 - $60 USD

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Valar Atomics’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.