Director, IC&E for HTGR Nuclear Systems

Blackwing; Torrance, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Equity ownership in a rapidly growing,

Comprehensive medical benefits

Unlimited PTO

Free daily lunch and dinner onsite

PPE stipend

High-impact startup environment

Job summary

Valar Atomics is hiring a Director of IC&E to own the instrumentation, control, and electrical architecture for an HTGR reactor plant. You will lead the IC&E team, shape design decisions, safety philosophy, and regulatory strategy.

Ideal candidates have deep engineering discipline across first-of-a-kind systems and a track record with major capital projects, with nuclear licensing experience valued but not required.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of engineering experience in instrumentation, control systems, or electrical design for safety-critical facilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading IC&E or I&C engineering teams on major capital projects.
• Deep expertise in process control architectures, SIS, and plant protection logic.
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (IEC 61511/IEC 61513).
• Experience engaging with regulators or third-party verification bodies.

Responsibilities

• Own the IC&E design basis for HTGR, including I&C architecture and safety logic.
• Lead IC&E engineering team and define competency requirements.
• Define instrumentation requirements for high-temp helium-cooled environments.
• Develop control room concept and operator interface design.
• Manage electrical systems design, power and UPS.

Skills

Instrumentation & control

Electrical design

Safety-critical

Regulatory engagement

Tools

IEEE nuclear I&C standards

DOE/NRC licensing processes

Job description

Valar Atomics is hiring a Director of IC&E to own the instrumentation, control, and electrical architecture for an HTGR reactor plant. You will lead the IC&E team, shape design decisions, safety philosophy, and regulatory strategy.

Ideal candidates have deep engineering discipline across first-of-a-kind systems and a track record with major capital projects, with nuclear licensing experience valued but not required.