Senior Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear Reactor Systems, Equity

Valar Atomics; New Mexico; On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Equity ownership

Medical benefits

Unlimited PTO

Free onsite meals

Job summary

Valar Atomics is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own design, build, and test mechanical subsystems for the reactor program. You will guide hardware from concept through commissioning on the first unit and help scale production.

You will work hands-on with a hardware-first approach, applying rigorous design controls to meet the project’s safety and performance standards. The role emphasizes collaboration across engineering disciplines and leadership of junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering on complex hardware (pressure systems, heat transfer, large structures).
• Proven track record taking hardware from design through build and test.
• Strong foundation in stress analysis, thermal design, materials, and codes.
• Proficiency in CAD and engineering drawing standards.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical design of subsystems from requirements through design freeze.
• Perform and review stress, thermal, and fluid analyses to validate margins and codes.
• Develop 3D CAD models, assemblies, and drawings with GD&T.
• Plan hardware procurement, vendor management, factory build, and assembly.
• Lead design reviews and drive actions to closure.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to design standards and documentation.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions on hardware issues.

Skills

CAD software (SolidWorks/Creo/NX)

Stress & thermal analysis

Prototype to production

Leadership / mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

FEA/CFD tools

ASME codes knowledge

Job description

Valar Atomics is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own design, build, and test mechanical subsystems for the reactor program. You will guide hardware from concept through commissioning on the first unit and help scale production.

You will work hands-on with a hardware-first approach, applying rigorous design controls to meet the project’s safety and performance standards. The role emphasizes collaboration across engineering disciplines and leadership of junior engineers.