Nuclear Welding Lead — Build & Lead High-Impact Team

Valar Atomics; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Unlimited PTO

Free onsite meals

PPE stipend

Autonomy & impact

Career growth

Collaborate with leaders

Job summary

Valar Atomics is seeking a Fabrication/Welding Lead to run day-to-day operations on our weld shop floor and mentor a growing team of welders and fabricators. You will own production scheduling, weld quality, and safety for components powering our modular reactor systems.

This hands-on leadership role partners with engineering and quality, requires reading complex drawings and ASME code experience, and demands a proactive, startup mindset with strong ownership.

Qualifications

• 8+ years welding/fabrication experience including 2+ years in a lead or supervisory role.
• AWS Certified Welder with GTAW proficiency on stainless and exotic alloys.
• Ability to read complex engineering drawings, weld symbols, and WPS documentation.
• Experience with pressure vessel or code welding (ASME IX, B31.3).
• Proven track record leading, training, or mentoring a team of welders/fabricators.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup manufacturing environment with evolving processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform TIG, MIG, FCAW, Stick, and TIG orbital welds on various metals to nuclear-grade specifications.
• Lead, schedule, and mentor a team of welders and fabricators on daily production.
• Own weld quality standards; review WPS and troubleshoot quality issues on the floor.
• Partner with Engineering and QC to translate drawings into repeatable fabrication processes.
• Coordinate production priorities with Manufacturing Manager to hit build schedules.
• Champion shop safety, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives on the floor.
• Hire, train, and develop welders as the team scales; conduct performance reviews.
• Maintain documentation for weld travelers, certifications, and non-conformances.

Skills

TIG welding

Welding supervision

ASME welding codes

WPS review & QA

Engineering drawings

ERP/MES systems

Safety & PPE

Job description

Valar Atomics is seeking a Fabrication/Welding Lead to run day-to-day operations on our weld shop floor and mentor a growing team of welders and fabricators. You will own production scheduling, weld quality, and safety for components powering our modular reactor systems.

This hands-on leadership role partners with engineering and quality, requires reading complex drawings and ASME code experience, and demands a proactive, startup mindset with strong ownership.