Director, Mechanical Engineering – Nuclear Reactor (Equity)

Valar Atomics; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 240,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Unlimited PTO

Free onsite meals

PPE stipend

High-impact startup environment

Career growth

Operator collaboration

Ground-up energy tech

Job summary

Valar Atomics seeks a Director, Mechanical for the reactor program. This role will build and lead the mechanical engineering organization for the reactor program, including engineering managers and responsible engineers.

The scope covers the reactor, control rods, helium boundary, helium services, HVAC and Citadel, with a hands-on, hardware-first mindset to meet the design basis. The position will drive design reviews, procurement, testing, and cross-functional integration with safety, IC&E,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of mechanical engineering on complex hardware (pressures, heat transfer, large structures).
• Hands-on authority signing off designs and margins.
• Led mechanical scope on first-of-a-kind hardware from concept through build and test.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design basis for the reactor and helium systems.
• Lead design reviews and gate decisions from concept to design freeze.
• Oversee procurement, manufacturing, and verification through first operation.
• Coordinate with systems, safety, IC&E, quality and supply chain to keep the plant design integrated.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Stress analysis

Thermal design

Leadership

Vendor relationships

Tools

ASME codes (VIII / B31.3)

Job description

Valar Atomics seeks a Director, Mechanical for the reactor program. This role will build and lead the mechanical engineering organization for the reactor program, including engineering managers and responsible engineers.

The scope covers the reactor, control rods, helium boundary, helium services, HVAC and Citadel, with a hands-on, hardware-first mindset to meet the design basis. The position will drive design reviews, procurement, testing, and cross-functional integration with safety, IC&E,