Production Quality Inspector

Valar Atomics Inc.; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Unlimited PTO

Free daily lunch and dinner onsite

Generous PPE stipend

High-growth startup environment

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Valar Atomics in Torrance is seeking a Production Quality Inspector to verify manufacturing of HTGR reactor components and fuel-related activities on the production floor. You will collaborate with technicians, engineers, and Supervisors to ensure disciplined, traceable, and compliant production execution.

This hands-on role requires strong attention to detail, willingness to learn, and the ability to work effectively within a fast-moving manufacturing environment that adheres to drawings,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and controlled documentation.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational discipline, and willingness to operate within a regulated procedural environment.
• Comfortable working within active manufacturing environments including exposure to industrial noise, fabrication-related fumes, and changing operational conditions while following all safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections of production components, assemblies, and materials in accordance with drawings, specifications, and travelers.
• Verify production activities are performed in accordance with approved work instructions, controlled documentation, and hold-point requirements.
• Support hold-point coordination, witness activities, and material identification/status controls during production builds.
• Maintain inspection records, verification documentation, and traceability records to ensure completeness, accuracy, and audit readiness.
• Identify and elevate discrepancies, missing documentation, workmanship concerns, material issues, or process deviations to Production Quality Technicians, Engineers, or Supervisors.

Skills

Attention to detail

Reading engineering drawings

Documentation control

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma

Job description

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 Regulations & Safety organization, Quality Assurance establishes the systems and standards that ensure products and processes consistently meet the highest levels of quality and compliance. The team promotes continuous improvement and operational excellence across the company.

The Role

As a Production Quality Inspector, you will perform inspection and verification activities directly on the production floor for HTGR reactor component and fuel-related manufacturing activities. This role sits within the Torrance manufacturing and fuel fabrication environment.

This role is responsible for confirming that production work conforms to approved drawings, specifications, procedures, and traveler requirements at each stage of the build. You will work closely with Production Quality Technicians, Engineers, and Supervisors, as well as operators and manufacturing personnel, to help ensure disciplined, traceable, and technically defensible production execution.

This is a highly hands‑on floor role requiring strong attention to detail, willingness to learn, operational discipline, and the ability to work effectively within a fast-moving manufacturing environment. This role is designed for individuals looking to build technical capability and operational experience within advanced nuclear production quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections of production components, assemblies, and materials in accordance with drawings, specifications, and travelers.
• Verify production activities are performed in accordance with approved work instructions, controlled documentation, and hold-point requirements.
• Support hold-point coordination, witness activities, and material identification/status controls during production builds.
• Maintain inspection records, verification documentation, and traceability records to ensure completeness, accuracy, and audit readiness.
• Identify and elevate discrepancies, missing documentation, workmanship concerns, material issues, or process deviations to Production Quality Technicians, Engineers, or Supervisors.
• Use dimensional inspection equipment and standard measurement tools to verify part and assembly conformance.
• Work directly with operators and manufacturing personnel to support technically disciplined and operationally effective production execution.
• Learn and apply production quality standards, procedural requirements, traceability expectations, and inspection methodologies within a regulated technical environment.

You Will Be Successful in This Role If

• You are highly detail-oriented and take pride in disciplined execution and accurate documentation.
• You are comfortable learning technical requirements, engineering drawings, and controlled procedures within a fast-moving manufacturing environment.
• You maintain professionalism, accountability, and strong follow-through even during high-pressure production operations.
• You are willing to ask questions, learn from experienced personnel, and continuously develop technical capability.
• You communicate clearly and work effectively with operators, technicians, engineers, and supervisors.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and controlled documentation.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational discipline, and willingness to operate within a regulated procedural environment.
• Comfortable working within active manufacturing environments including exposure to industrial noise, fabrication-related fumes, and changing operational conditions while following all safety protocols.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to work within digital documentation and record management systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Associate degree, technical certification, trade school training, military technical experience, or coursework in manufacturing, engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Prior experience supporting industrial manufacturing, fabrication, field operations, or quality inspection.
• Familiarity with dimensional measurement tools, basic inspection equipment, and technical documentation systems.
• Experience working in nuclear, aerospace, semiconductor, defense, or similarly regulated manufacturing environments is a plus.

What We Offer

• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• Generous PPE stipend
• 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).

$50,000 - $70,000 USD