Nuclear Test Engineer - Hardware & Data

Valar Atomics Inc.; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership in a rapidly growing,

Unlimited PTO

Free daily lunch and dinner onsite

PPE stipend

High‑impact startup environment

Career growth and internal advancement

Direct collaboration with operators,\n

Ground-up energy technology building

Job summary

Valar Atomics seeks a Test Engineer for the reactor program who will design and build test stands, run campaigns, and translate data into evidence that confirms hardware meets design basis. You’ll test components and systems from early development through commissioning on the first unit, then help standardize testing for faster future units.

The role sits at the intersection of hardware, data, and compliance, requiring hands-on, hardware-first work with rigorous traceability for nuclear projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• 2+ years of test engineering experience on hardware.
• Experience designing and building test stands or test fixtures.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, sensors, and instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of Python, MATLAB, SQL, or similar tools for data handling and analysis.
• Strong troubleshooting mindset, with the ability to diagnose issues from data.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain test stands for performance, reliability, endurance, environmental, and qualification testing.
• Develop test plans, profiles, and procedures with design engineers and the V&V team.
• Run tests, monitor live data, and adjust parameters to capture meaningful results.
• Set up and maintain data acquisition systems, including remote and unattended capability.
• Integrate test stand data streams with SCADA and historian infrastructure.
• Process raw test data into clean, usable formats for engineering analysis and reporting.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, test stand hardware, and data acquisition faults during test execution.
• Analyze test data to diagnose root causes and turn findings into design recommendations.
• Support integrated system testing and commissioning through first operation.
• Develop standardized acceptance tests so each unit is verified faster than the last.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Python

MATLAB

SQL

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SCADA

Historian systems

Job description

Valar Atomics seeks a Test Engineer for the reactor program who will design and build test stands, run campaigns, and translate data into evidence that confirms hardware meets design basis. You’ll test components and systems from early development through commissioning on the first unit, then help standardize testing for faster future units.

The role sits at the intersection of hardware, data, and compliance, requiring hands-on, hardware-first work with rigorous traceability for nuclear projects.