Legal Counsel

Valar Atomics Inc.; New Mexico; On-site; USD 195,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Equity ownership

Comprehensive medical benefits

Onsite lunch provided

Job summary

Valar Atomics Inc. is seeking a hands-on General Counsel to lead commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, and corporate matters in a fast-growing energy startup.

You will draft and negotiate complex agreements, oversee project finance structuring, and guide employment and IP strategy with internal teams and outside counsel. The role requires a JD, California bar eligibility, and 3–6 years of transactional experience in regulated industries.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and bar eligibility/active status in California for in-house practice.
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and managing complex commercial agreements.
• Strong business judgment and ability to translate legal concepts into practical guidance.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements including vendor contracts, construction agreements, licenses, and NDAs.
• Support and lead project finance transactions, including term sheets and security documents.
• Assist with EPC contracts and government program agreements relevant to nuclear development.
• Advise on employment, IP, governance, and corporate matters with outside counsel coordination.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and legal budget oversight.

Skills

Legal drafting

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Startup environment

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

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 Team

As part of the Business organization, Legal provides strategic legal guidance that enables innovation while protecting the company's interests. The team manages contracts, corporate governance, intellectual property, regulatory matters, and legal risk across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Transactions & Project Finance

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements including supply agreements, vendor contracts, construction agreements, technology licenses, and NDAs
• Support and progressively lead project finance transactions, including term sheets, credit agreements, security documents, and financing structures
• Assist in structuring and negotiating EPC agreements and other contracts supporting nuclear facility development
• Partner with business leaders on contract strategy, risk assessment, and commercial negotiations
• Manage contract lifecycle processes, execution workflows, renewals, and contract administration systems

Regulatory & Compliance

• Support legal analysis related to DOE, NRC, FERC, and other federal and state regulatory frameworks
• Assist in developing and maintaining company compliance programs, policies, and training initiatives
• Support export control compliance activities, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810 requirements
• Advise internal stakeholders on government contracting requirements and obligations associated with DOE programs and agreements

Employment & Corporate Matters

• Provide legal support on employment matters including offer letters, equity arrangements, employment policies, and separation agreements
• Coordinate immigration matters and outside counsel relationships for sponsored employees
• Assist with development and maintenance of employee handbooks and HR policies
• Support venture financing transactions, SAFEs, convertible instruments, and other corporate transactions
• Advise on intellectual property protection, confidentiality programs, and invention assignment matters
• Assist with corporate governance activities, board resolutions, entity management, and corporate recordkeeping
• Manage outside counsel relationships and support legal budget oversight

Basic Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• A member of the California State Bar or eligible to register as Registered In-House Counsel with the State Bar of California.
• 3–6 years of legal experience with significant exposure to commercial contracts and transactional matters
• Demonstrated ability to draft, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements with increasing independence
• Strong business judgment and ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical guidance
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environment with significant ambiguity
• Strong ownership mentality and willingness to operate independently when needed

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with project finance transactions, construction contracts, EPC agreements, or infrastructure projects
• Experience in energy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, aerospace, defense, nuclear, or other regulated industries
• Familiarity with nuclear regulatory frameworks, including NRC licensing, DOE programs, Price-Anderson, and export controls
• Background in a major law firm with experience supporting energy, project finance, infrastructure, or M&A transactions
• Prior in-house legal experience at a startup or high-growth technology company
• Experience supporting immigration programs, including H-1B, O-1, TN, and PERM processes
• Familiarity with government contracting requirements and federal regulatory compliance
• Experience working with DOE, NRC, FERC, or other government agencies
• Strong interest in helping build legal processes, systems, and infrastructure from the ground up

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• 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).

Salary: $200,000 — $260,000 USD